ROCKBANK has thrust itself into Riddell District Football League finals contention with an eight-point win against Melton Centrals on Saturday.
Just a week after being held to two goals in its shortened match against Rupertswood, Rockbank won by kicking five in a 5.9 (39) to 4.7 (31) scoreline.
PICTURE GALLERY: Diggers Rest v Riddell
Centrals led by 11 points at half-time but were overtaken by three unanswered Rockbank goals in the third term.
The Rams went goalless in the last quarter but did enough to win.
Anthony Long was Rockbank’s only multiple goal-kicker with two, while Dylan Creed, Matthew Krul and Jamie Zerafa were among the better players.
The Rams, ninth with a 5-8 record, will need some luck but have an easier run home than most with games against Macedon, Kilmore and Broadford, all teams the Rams have beaten this season.
Centrals slipped to eighth and possibly out of finals contention, given Diggers Rest and Romsey are future opponents.
Lancefield’s remarkable charge towards the finals continued with a 13.13 (91) to 4.4 (28) win over Broadford.
The Tigers’ fourth consecutive win shot them into fifth on the ladder, a game clear of Rupertswood, Macedon and Melton Centrals.
Lancefield, high on confidence after a 32-point win over premiership hopefuls Diggers Rest in round 13, appears to be the best-placed side outside of the well-established top four of Riddell, Diggers, Sunbury and Romsey.
Back in round 10, the Tigers were ninth, having lost four straight. The 63-point belting of Broadford reversed the result from the round one match in which Barry Hall booted 10 goals as the Kangaroos emerged victorious.
But with Hall not playing, Broadford managed just four goals.
Lancefield kicked four to one in the opening term to take a 22-point lead into the first break.
Broadford got within 15 points by half-time but went scoreless in the third as the Tigers jumped to an unassailable 37-point lead.
There were nine goalkickers for Lancefield, demonstrating an ability to share the load rather than rely on John Baker, who has booted 50 this year for the yellow and black
If the Tigers make the finals they will have earned it, with games against Sunbury, Rupertswood and Riddell coming up.
Rupertswood is clinging to sixth place despite managing just one goal in a scrappy 1.9 (15) to 5.10 (40) loss to Sunbury. Rupo faces Lancefield, Woodend-Hesket and Diggers Rest in the run home.
Macedon kept its finals hopes alive with a 10.7 (67) to 1.7 (13) win over Woodend-Hesket. Macedon plays Romsey this weekend before facing Rockbank and Wallan.
Kilmore got within 14 points of its first victory against Wallan but couldn’t do enough, going down 3.1 (19) to 4.9 (33).
The Blues have three more chances to notch up a win, while the Magpies are still in finals contention with games against Woodend-Hesket, Riddell and Macedon to come.
