TAYLORS Lakes suffered its heaviest loss of the Essendon District Football League division 1 season on Saturday, going down by 74 points to Northern Saints.
The Lions, already missing a handful of seniors players, were cruelled by injury and had no fit player on the bench by three-quarter time.
Fullback Will Medwin twisted his ankle and could miss two games.
Taylors Lakes had the run early in the first term but by quarter time was trailing by five points. Then the Saints took control, booting 11 of the next 13 goals to sink the Lions, who were staring down a possible 100-point loss with a 69-point deficit at three-quarter time.
The Lions kicked three in the final term to mitigate some of the damage, but the 18.18 (126) to 8.4 (52) result caused a percentage hit and saw them drop six points behind Glenroy.
With five games left, only disaster can prevent Taylors Lakes from missing finals, given it is four games clear of West Coburg in fifth spot.
Lions football manager Greg Hughes said they were simply outclassed. “We started well, particularly the first 15 minutes. But it was downhill from there.
‘‘They’re a very skillful and quick side, and it’s hard to keep the Caruso brothers [Fortunato and Natale] down. On the day they were just better.”
Hughes remains confident the Lions can topple any team in the competition, but he said injuries had begun to take their toll.
“We’re confident we can beat anyone in division 1 but it’s probably not going to be until round 17 or 18 that we field a full-strength team. And that’s if we get through the next few weeks without more injuries,” he said.
In premier division, Keilor lost 18.13 (121) to 9.5 (59) against Aberfeldie, the Blues’ fourth loss in five games.
Aberfeldie booted five goals to two in the opening term to lead by 20 points at the first break, and extended the lead to 42 points by half-time.
In division 2, Hillside moved three games clear atop the ladder with a 31-point win over Moonee Valley and Keilor Park had a 96-point win over Jacana.
