Camperdown onballer Fraser Lucas surges forward as the Magpies power to the top of the Hampden league ladder with a one-goal win over Warrnambool. 120714AM52 Picture: ANGELA MILNE
CAMPERDOWN won the battle but the war that is season 2012 is far from over.
You couldn't help but think that after the Magpies soared to the top of the Hampden league ladder, displacing Warrnambool with a one-goal win.
On the scoreboard and on the stats sheets, Saturday's one versus two showdown was even. There wasn't much between them.
But that slender margin could have major ramifications heading to the business end of the season.
The Magpies are now a game clear on top from the Blues with 10 wins and two losses. That might be all that separates them after round 18 and while it is only early, we all know the value of a week off at the start of September.
The Magpies are now favourites to finish on top. They now deserve to be premiership favourites too. They have beaten every side in the competition at least once and beaten the Blues, their nearest rivals, twice.
The Blues now head towards September without the confidence of having beaten every side in the finals.
Will it matter? Who knows? Only time will tell.
What we do know after Saturday is that Camperdown, closely followed by Warrnambool, is the competition pace-setter and the gap on the ladder from them to the rest reflects the gap on the field.
Cobden's emotion-charged one-point win over Koroit helps tighten up the race for the five, leaving the Saints and South Warrnambool equal on points in third and fourth, but two games behind Warrnambool and three behind Camperdown.
But can anyone catch Camperdown?
It's a question that also needs to be extended to the netball competition, where the Magpies remain undefeated.
grbest@standard.fairfax.com.au
