FIERCE rivals North Heidelberg and Lalor headed the ladder at the conclusion of Round 2 and the Easter break, while Fitzroy Stars got off the mark for 2014 in the most sensational circumstances.
Eight points down with roughly 45 seconds left on the clock, and for all the world looking like they would start the season at 0-2, the Fitzroy Stars stunned Diamond Creek with two late goals – firstly from Damien Walker, before gun recruit Allan Murray took a big pack mark right on the siren.
Murray then coolly went back and nailed his fourth goal to give the Stars an important 14.12 (96) to 13.14 (92) victory. Murray was amongst the best on ground, alongside Malcolm Dow and Justin Settle.
However, they face a stern challenge this weekend in a rejuvenated Lalor at Lalor Reserve.
The Bloods sent a statement to the competition that they mean business in 2014 with a 58-point victory over Hurstbridge at Ben Frilay Oval in Round 2. Scott Dowell was best on ground for the Bloods, continuing his brilliant start to the season, kicking two goals. Spencer Christopher kicked four goals and Dean Angelkoski three in the 16.16 (112) to 8.6 (54) victory.
North Heidelberg extended its stint on top of the table with a strong 48-point victory over Mernda at Schotters Road, the Dogs winning 17.9 (111) to 9.9 (63).
The visitors were able to respond to every Mernda challenge and kicked the last five goals of the game after Mernda had reduced their deficit to 16 points during the last quarter. Jeff Ryan was superb for the Bulldogs, while Shane Harvey and Lachlan Dowling combined for nine goals and also sit one and two on the goal kicking charts.
The Dogs now take on Diamond Creek in a game which as huge ramifications for the Creekers should they not get up. If unsuccessful, Diamond Creek will sit at 0-3 – not the position that the club would have expected to be in at this point of the season.
It looked for all money that the Creekers would square their win/loss ledger when Jason Buhagiar kicked what felt like the sealer with just minutes remaining a fortnight ago, but it was not to be. Rikki Stephens was again one of Diamond Creek’s best, kicking two goals, while ruckman Stefan Cosma and Dion Fleming also played well.
Epping will host a standalone Division 2 ANZAC Day clash with Mernda following its opening victory of the season, a 12.15 (87) to 9.11 (65) result over Panton Hill.
The Blues made their move during the second and third quarters, piling on five goals to the Hillers’ one to take an unassailable 31-point lead at three-quarter time. Aaron Willitts kicked three goals for the Blues, while Josh Stavely was adjudged as Epping’s best player.
Mernda, like Panton Hill three weeks previous, returns to the scene of its Division 3 premiership for the first time since its 2012 Grand Final win.
Despite losing by eight goals to North Heidelberg in Round 2, the Demons showed some solid form at times. Nicholas Brannelly kicked three goals for the Dees, aided by 17-year-old Adrian Stefanile who was impressive with two goals. Josh Wuelfert was strong in the ruck but it was not enough for the Dees.
The final game of the round pits the local rivals, Panton Hill and Hurstbridge, in a twilight fixture at Cracknell Reserve.
Hurstbridge will be disappointed to lose in the manner it did to Lalor, following such an impressive opening-round victory. Sean Jellie was the club’s best in its loss to the Bloods, with Daniel Francis and Aron Burns kicking two goals apiece. Should the Bridges win this week, they will return to the top four.
Panton Hill will produce a stern challenge in a bid to get off the mark in 2014 and possibly move off the bottom of the ladder.
Tyler Scarce continued his consistent start to the season, kicking three goals and now sits fourth on the goal kicking charts. Reid Staples and Travis Miller were the Hillers best performers in their 22-point loss to Epping.
As a result of the loss, last year’s Division 3 premiers sit on the bottom of the ladder, with percentage separating them and fellow winless side Diamond Creek.
