SOUTHERN FM MATCH OF THE DAY
Black Rock V Endeavour Hills
Tune in to 88.3 Southern FM from 2:00pm to hear the live call of these games, or stream the commentary on your mobile via sfnllive.com.au.
DIVISION 1
ROUND 15 PREVIEW
By Will Hunter
@Will_Hunter89
Mordialloc V Bentleigh (Ben Kavanagh Reserve)
V 
High stakes for both sides in this one, as Mordialloc finds itself locked in a fierce, three-way battle for the minor premiership, while the sixth-placed Bentleigh is one of four sides in contention for the remaining two spots in the top five.
The result of this match may not be as critical to the Demon’s finals hopes as its fixtures against Oakleigh District and East Malvern in the coming fortnight, but the side’s performance against the ladder leaders may give us a fair indication as to how far into the season it can go.
The Bloods looked every inch a premiership favourite in its dismantling of St Pauls last week, and while they will be too strong again here, but expect a spirted contest from the visitors.
Mordialloc by 19 points.
East Malvern V Port Melbourne Colts (Dunlop Reserve)
V 
Like Melbourne’s fickle weather, East Malvern have been consistently inconsistent in season 2017.
Some brilliant victories have been off-set by some dreadful losses – Exhibit A: St Kilda City last week – which has ruined any hope the Panthers had of building any momentum. Granted, injuries to key players have played a part, but the side still has enough talent to do some damage
But if this team are any hope of playing finals football, beating the ninth-placed Port Melbourne this week is a non-negotiable.
The Colts haven’t tasted victory since Round 8, and with its only win for the season away from home coming against lowly Clayton, it’s hard to see them besting the Panthers at the Zoo.
East Malvern by 38 points.
St Pauls V Cheltenham (McKinnon Reserve)
V 
They remain all but assured of securing the double chance, the Dogs will nevertheless be keen to atone for last week’s horror loss to Mordialloc when they take on the Rosellas at Kennel.
The eighth-placed Cheltenham have ultimately proved not good enough this season, with its only two wins since Round 8 coming against the bottom two sides.
The gap in class between these two sides is vast, and although St Pauls have rarely dished out thrashings, they should still win this one comfortably.
St Pauls by 22 points.
Clayton V St Kilda City (Meade Reserve)
V 
Despite sitting seventh with a 6-8 record, St Kilda City remarkably remains a chance to extend its season into the first week of September, but it needs to keep the wins coming in order to do so.
The Saints also need to improve its percentage of 100.96%, which trails that of the two sides above them in East Malvern and Bentleigh, and they will get no better opportunity to do so than this week against Clayton.
Season’s end can’t come quick enough for the Clays, who have maintained a blob in its W column through 14 rounds and lack the class to topple City this week for its maiden win of the season.
St Kilda City by 50 points.
Oakleigh District V Dingley (Princes Highway Reserve)
V 
An intriguing clash between two sides that are hitting top form at the business end of the season.
Three commanding wins in succession has seen the Districts’ rocket into outright fourth spot, however, the run home for Shayne Sheedy’s men is arduous as they face every other side currently in the top six, except for St Pauls, in the last four weeks of the season.
The Dingoes themselves enter this on the back of a five-game winning streak, and it’s a streak they need to maintain if it wants to remain in contention for this year’s minor premiership given the logjam at the head of the ladder.
We will find out plenty about Oakleigh’s credentials over the next month, and while they should put up a good fight against the competition’s benchmark, the Dingoes’ class and experience will get them over the line.
Dingley by 29 points.
DIVISION 2
ROUND 17 PREVIEW
By Jason Barbin
@JBarbin10
After an action packed, ladder defining round last week, Round 17 presents a few games which should be a little more clear cut, but just as important when it comes to shaping the top five.
Murrumbeena v Hampton (Murrumbeena Park)
V 
Game of the Round
This is a hugely important game for both clubs for the sole reason of potentially grabbing fifth spot on the ladder.
Murrumbeena are in the box seat, sitting a game behind East Brighton, which plays ladder leader Chelsea Heights, but with far superior percentage.
While the Hammers are a further game behind Murrumbeena, Hampton has the benefit of having a similar percentage to the Vampires.
I’d go as far as saying if the Hammers lose this game, finals will be out of reach.
Murrumbeena by 21 points.
Chelsea Heights v East Brighton (Beazley Reserve)
V 
While the Heighters are still in a comfortable position on top of the ladder, the Vampires are in the hot seat as they try to hold onto fifth.
East Brighton sits a game clear of Murrumbeena, but well behind on percentage, which means it needs to win to remain in fifth.
While this game probably won’t mean too much to Chelsea Heights, a win at home will secure the minor premiership.
Chelsea Heights by 39 points.
Keysborough v Springvale Districts (Keysborough Reserve)
V 
While for Springvale, like Highett, it’s still mathematically possible for them to make the finals, it’s unlikely as the District take on third-ranked Keysborough on the road.
The Districts have been impressive this season and are ahead of where I thought they would be, but this is where their finals run ends.
With Skye running into the bye week, this game is the perfect chance for Keysborough to secure its hold on a top three position.
Keysborough by 35 points.
Heatherton v Caulfield (Ross Street Reserve)
V 
There isn’t too much to say about this game as Heatherton, unless it conjures up several miracles, will be the wooden spooners this year while Caulfield are finals bound.
Caulfield will be keen to atone for last week’s loss to Keysborough and while the Bears are comfortable in second, a percentage booster wouldn’t hurt.
Heatherton will be desperate for improvement in this game, but it will be a tough ask for it to win.
Caulfield by 40 points.
Highett v Mount Waverley (Turner Road Reserve)
V 
Highett’s chances at a finals run hit a huge roadblock after a loss to East Brighton last week, and I would venture to say it’s all but over, although still mathematically possible.
Either way, the Dogs have the chance to play devils advocate and derail the Lions chance at playing in finals, as Mount Waverley need to win to keep its chances alive.
The Lions sit two games behind the Vampires in fifth, but have a superior percentage will is likely to have an impact come season’s end.
Mount Waverley by 19 points.
BYE: Skye
DIVISION 3
ROUND 16 PREVIEW
By Andrew Paloczi
@Apaloczi
Sandown vs Hallam (Edinburgh Reserve)
V 
When Hallam hosted Sandown in Round 5 the Hawks showed their guests no mercy.
The margin then was an imposing 165 points. Nothing about the form of these teams since suggests much change this time.
Ashwood vs South Yarra (Essex Heights Reserve)
V 
A fierce battle is on the cards at Essex Heights Reserve between two sides that need to keep winning ahead of the finals.
For South Yarra, its visit to Ashwood is potentially an early elimination final.
Any slip up by the Yarras will open the door for Black Rock to step into the top five.
The stakes are slightly less high for the Magpies, but defeat would leave them in peril when it comes to securing a double chance.
Ashwood will win a tight one.
Dandenong vs Lyndale (Greaves Reserve)
V 
It is purely about pride in a match that will have no influence on finals places.
For Dandenong, the quest is to avoid the ignominy of going through a season without a win. Realistically, this is its second-last chance to do so, with Hallam its Round 18 opponent.
Lyndale will comfortably defeat Dandenong.
The gap between the mid-table Pumas and bottom-placed Redlegs is worryingly large.
SOUTHERN FM MATCH OF THE DAY
Black Rock vs Endeavour Hills (MacDonald Reserve)
V 
Last time Black Rock and Endeavour Hills met marked the low-point of the season for the Jets.
A 70-point thumping from the Falcons consigned Black Rock to the depths, with just a single win after five rounds. Ever since, Black Rock has been building towards what then seemed an improbable finals campaign.
It might yet end in a fairytale finish for the Jets in September, but defeat against Endeavour Hills would almost certainly end such dreams.
Although Black Rock is highly fancied to win in Rounds 17 and 18, so is the only rival it can knock out of the five, South Yarra.
There is plenty to play for where Endeavour Hills is concerned, with the Falcons currently holding third spot and a double chance.
This week’s contest promises to go down to the wire, and the season’s first draw may eventuate.
The SFNL radio team will be there to cover every moment of this highly anticipated tussle.
Tune in to 88.3 Southern FM from 2:00pm to hear the live call of these games, or stream the commentary on your mobile via sfnllive.com.au.
Doveton Eagles vs Carrum Patterson Lakes (Power Reserve)
V 
Doveton is assured of finals action, but faces the possibility of an elimination battle in week one.
The Eagles are a win off third place, but have a healthy percentage that keeps them in the hunt for a double chance.
There is little prospect of CPL presenting a hurdle for Doveton.
It will be a big win for the Eagles on their home turf.
Moorabbin vs Lyndhurst (Widdop Crescent)
V 
Lyndhurst sits just one win ahead of Moorabbin, with the teams occupying the eighth and ninth rungs of the ladder.
In the last encounter between these combatants, Lyndhurst cantered home by 56 points.
At Widdop Crescent the Kangaroos will do better, although Lightning should win.
UNDER 19
ROUND 15 PREVIEW
By Britt Goldsmith
St Pauls will host a surging Cheltenham at home, and Skye will face a forceful St Kilda City at the Peanut Farm.
A ninth-placed Endeavour Hills will take on Doveton who are still looking to put their first win on the board, and Parkmore / Springvale will test Bentleigh at Springvale Reserve.
Hampton have a tough match set out for them as they visit Hallam at Hallam Reserve, and both Dingley and Oakleigh will be looking to retaliate from damaging losses in Round 14 as they clash at the Princes Highway Reserve.
