In a competition as close as division 2 of the Northern Football League, finishing in the top two will be a bonus.
Only two wins separate the top five sides. Even top-of-the-table Lalor knows every game is vital in the last five rounds, and Bloods president Rodney Lowry says they aren’t taking anything for granted.
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“You can go from first to third in one match, that’s how close it is,” Lowry says.
“Fitzroy Stars are making a late run to the four as well. Any team can beat you if you don’t play at your best. You really want to finish in the top two.”
The Bloods did their chances of a top-two finish no harm with a hard-fought win against Thomastown on Saturday.
The Bloods led by 16 points at three-quarter time and held on in the last term to win 9.12 (66) – 6.13 (49).
“There was massive wind and a wet ground,” Lowry said.
“Whoever utilised the wind the best was going to get the win.
“In the third quarter we used the breeze really well to set up the win.”
But the Bears didn’t give up and had double the number of scoring shots in the final quarter.
“But they kicked just seven points,” Lowry said.
“Our back press was enormous. We applied massive pressure and [made it hard for them] to kick goals.”
The Bloods’ Todd Hughes kicked four and now leads the division 2 goalkicking.
“He was a defender and in the past two years we’ve turned him into a forward,” Lowry said. “He presents well and is a great mark.”
Jarrod King, Nick Sandy and Shannon Smith were among the best for the Bloods.
Lukas Fellows was best for the Bears.
Lowry says his side will be at full strength come the finals after being five players down against the Bears because of injury and suspension.
The Bloods play Whittlesea this weekend in a top-of-the-table clash.
“They’ve had the wood on us this season,” Lowry says. “We need to be at our best; Whittlesea is the side to beat this season. They were unlucky to get relegated last year… they had so many games where they lost by under 10 points.”
The Eagles enter the game after a massive win over third-placed Hurstbridge. Nine goals to nil in the third quarter was the difference in the 21.11 (137) – 13.6 (84) result.
Mernda lost to Diamond Creek by 50 points.
In division 1, Bundoora kept the pressure on the top five with a 38-point win over Heidelberg, while Epping and South Morang were among the winners in division 3.
