By Josip Zilic
North Geelong Warriors will push for a top two spot in its next game against second-placed Bulleen.
But Bulleen will be keen to atone for a 2-5 beating at the feet of third-placed Richmond last round.
The Warriors are only three points adrift from the top sides and have some winnable games coming up.
North Geelong notched up its second home victory of the season with a 3-2 win over Springvale White Eagles last round.
Coach Micky Colina had mixed emotions after the match.
“I was happy for the fans and the boys that we got a much needed home win but very disappointed in the way we played in the second half. Put simply, a shambles.”
The first half was all North Geelong, with a darting Robert Zadworny run in the 10th minute finishing in a cross hesitantly dealt with by Springvale. However, Juso Julardzija was on hand to burst into the box and smash his shot out of Anthony Casset’s reach.
Mark Paleka joined his strike partner on the score sheet in the 26th minute when he trapped a loose ball inside the penalty area to round his marker and place the ball well out of Casset’s desperate effort, extending the lead to 2-0.
Just before half time Stipe Trbuhovic controlled his possession past a couple of challenges to slot the ball through the deep-lying Springvale defence where Julardzija pounced to finish to put the home side up 3-0.
Springvale lifted its tempo after half time, with Vojislav Milojevic putting the away side on the scoreboard 10 minutes in after North Geelong turned the ball over. A resultant cross into the near post allowed Milojevic to meet the ball unchallenged.
North Geelong looked content to play cautiously, often reverting to long balls to Zadworny and Trbuhovic to keep Springvale away.
With five minutes to go the ever-threatening Milojevic made his way past defenders and was fouled inside the penalty area. Milojevic took the spot kick, sending Daniel Zilic the wrong way.
In the final minute Milojevic threatened again but Zilic had his measure, saving well to lock in the three points for the home side.
