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SFNL MATCH OF THE DAY
DIVISION 1
CLAYTON vs OAKLEIGH DISTRICT
V 
Meade Reserve, Haughton Road, Clayton – 2:15pm
Listen to the SFNL Radio Team’s commentary live on 88.3 Southern FM from 2:00pm or live stream the radio broadcast and get all live scores at
sfnllive.com.au.
DIVISION 1 – Round 12 Preview
With Good Will Hunter
@Will_Hunter89
EAST MALVERN vs MORDIALLOC (Dunlop Reserve)
V 
There is plenty on the line in this one as Mordialloc eyes East Malvern’s spot in the top three.
The fourth-placed Bloods’ humungous win over the Vampires helped bridge the gap in both points and percentage, with the Panthers now sitting just four points clear in third spot, a position they will relinquish with defeat on Saturday.
This is no doubt a huge jump in class for Mordi, so they simply cannot afford to get ahead of themselves. This was no doubt the Panther’s undoing last week.
East Malvern are a much tougher prospect at the Zoo, but it’s hard to ignore Mordialloc on their form in the last month.
The Bloods in a nail-biter.
CHELTENHAM vs DINGLEY (Jack Barker Oval)
V 
Beaten, but far from disgraced against a terrific opponent in Bentleigh, there is now plenty of optimism around this young Cheltenham side.
However, challenges don’t come any bigger than the Dingley juggernaut they will face this week.
The formidable Dingoes have match-winners on every line and should easily account for the Rosellas.
CLAYTON vs OAKLEIGH DISTRICT (Meade Reserve)
V
Another huge day at Meade Reserve with two local rivals resuming hostilities in a turf war that began back in the halcyon days of the old Federal league.
And this latest black and white battle between the Clays and the Oaks will have major ramifications in the context of season 2016 as both sides chase September action.
Rousing victories to both sides last week reignited their finals chances, and sees them locked in a tense three-way fight with St Pauls for the last spot in the top five. The Oaks currently have a tenuous hold on that all-important fifth spot, with all three sides level on 20 points.
Prior to last weekend, neither side had been in particularly good form, but the significance of the Clay’s last-start scalp in East Malvern cannot be overstated. It was as impressive a performance as we’ve seen from Clayton in quite some time, and is enough to sway my tip their way.
ST KILDA CITY vs BENTLEIGH (Peanut Farm)
V 
With second spot secured for now, the Demons aim to solidify it with a percentage-boosting win over cellar-dwellers St Kilda City this week.
The Saints have been disappointing to say the least so far this year, with just two wins from 11 games. And after the loss of skipper Ricky Thomson with a broken arm, there probably won’t be much for their fans to look forward to in this one either.
Bentleigh will win by plenty.
EAST BRIGHTON vs ST PAULS (McKinnon Reserve)
V 
This Saturday’s Foundation 49 Cup clash perhaps lacks the preponderance that it has had in recent years when East Brighton and St Pauls were winning flags as Division 1 powerhouses.
The Vampires find themselves anchored to the foot of the ladder and have been the whipping boys of the competition in recent weeks. The Dogs were also thrashed last week, but won’t get a better opportunity to return to the winners’ list than this.
Expect a sizable victory to St Pauls, and a much-needed percentage boost to aid its pursuit of another finals berth.
DIVISION 2 – Round 14 Preview
With Jason Barbin
@JBarbin10
Round 13 is upon us and the battle for fifth spot on the ladder is my match of the round but there are plenty of exciting match-ups in store.
SKYE vs HEATHERTON (Carrum Downs Reserve)
V 
The Bombers will look to bounce back after a loss to Port Melbourne but they will take away plenty of positives despite not getting four points. Heatherton are still looking for the winning touch and came so close against Murrumbeena, squandering a 13-point lead at the three quarter time.
Skye by 31 points.
MURRUMBEENA vs CAULFIELD (Murrumbeena Park)
V 
Both sides are coming off unconvincing wins last round and both will be eager to impress when they step out onto the Beena Arena. The Beena are looking to increase their finals chances but will need to be at their absolute best to top the Bears, and even then it may not be enough. A win for Caulfield and they will move into second spot.
Caulfield by 19 points.
SPRINGVALE DISTRICTS vs BLACK ROCK (Springvale Reserve)
V 
Both sides played well last week despite not getting the four points so expect a thrilling contest at Springvale. A win for Black Rock won’t get it off the bottom of the ladder but it was will make it level on points with Springvale and Heatherton. A win for the Districts and they might be safe in Division 2 for another year.
Black Rock by two points.
HIGHETT vs HAMPTON (Turner Road Reserve)
V 
The Dogs squandered an excellent chance to jump into the top four but inaccurate kicking resulted in a loss to Keysborough. They have a chance to redeem themselves and remain in the top five when they host Hampton. The Hammers are fresh off the bye and will be keen to make their move into fifth spot.
Highett by 11 points.
KEYSBOROUGH vs PORT MELBOURNE COLTS (Keysborough Reserve)
V 
The Burra were back on the winners list last week but they will have a much tougher time making it two in a row when Port Melbourne comes to town. The Colts juggernaut just keeps on rolling and the undefeated streak will likely continue. But will game number 13 in the Southern Football Netball League be the unlucky one?
Port Melbourne by 33 points.
BYE: CHELSEA HEIGHTS
DIVISION 3 – Round 13 Preview
With Andrew Paloczi
@Apaloczi
ASHWOOD vs CARRUM PATTERSON LAKES (Essex Heights Reserve)
V 
Ashwood has leapt into third spot and will keep the pressure on second-placed Doveton with a substantial win over Carrum Patterson Lakes.
CPL is not in with a realistic shot against the top sides this season and Dale Carroll is set for another productive day in front of the big sticks for Ashwood. He has plenty of teammates capable of adding to the Lions’ pain.
LYNDHURST vs SANDOWN (Marriott Waters Reserve)
V 
Whilst it would be too adventurous to tip the winless Sandown, the Cobras can take heart from the fact they only lost by 14 points when they played Lyndhurst in Round 2.
That was a low scoring affair, with a total of 10 goals for the match.
Expect Lyndhurst to win by a bit more this time in front of its home fans.
MOUNT WAVERLEY vs DANDENONG (Mayfield Park)
V 
When Dandenong hosted Mount Waverley in Round 2 the Mountain Lions proved unfriendly guests, charging to a 125-point win.
When the Redlegs journey to the Mountain Lions’ den this week the story is unlikely to be a happier one.
DOVETON EAGLES vs ENDEAVOUR HILLS (Power Reserve)
V 
Endeavour Hills slipped a spot last round and now sits fourth on the ladder.
When the Falcons played Doveton early this season it was a 46-point victory for the Eagles.
Endeavour Hills should get closer this time, but will need to ensure it creates more avenues to goal and doesn't become too Daniel Morrison focused when delivering the ball to the forward line, as happened at times in the Falcons’ last match.
MOORABBIN vs SOUTH YARRA (Widdop Crescent Reserve)
V 
With a chance to gain a spot in the finals still a realistic aspiration, South Yarra won’t slip up against host Moorabbin.
Having said that, the Kangaroos took it up to the Lions last time the teams played and South Yarra got home by just 14 points.
LYNDALE vs HALLAM (Barry Powell Reserve)
V 
This may well be the pick of the contests this round. Hallam is one win ahead of Lyndale and the Pumas will be desperate to keep in touch with the Hawks and a crucial top-five spot.
Hallam claimed the points last time these teams played each other.
The Hawks will sneak home here and make their chances of playing in the finals a little more secure.
