ROUND 4 action in Division 3 saw big wins to Heidelberg West, Reservoir and Thomastown, with the trio now occupying the top three spots on the ladder after a month of football in 2014.
The Hawks, looking resplendent in maroon and gold jumpers to commemorate their 1936-1985 sides, brushed aside Parkside with ease at Heidelberg Park and moved into second spot on the ladder.
The Devils, in their usual fashion, hit the scoreboard early. Bryan Vance kicked the first two goals of the game, then missed a gettable shot. The Hawks then sprang into action, soon hit the front and went on to win by 20 goals – the club’s biggest win in recent memory.
Kyl Ewart kicked seven goals to move to third place on the goal kicking table, while James McLean-Brunton and captain Dan Bailey continued their strong early season form. Youngsters from both teams entertained the crowd. Mitchell Reeve kicked two majors for Heidelberg West – the second one from 60 metres out from near the grandstand.
Soon after, Parkside’s Brandon Walters had scored two of his own, both on the run, which were a highlight in an otherwise gloomy day for the visiting fans. Putting a further sour note on the loss, the Devils lost Stefano Capogreco to a significant leg injury during the second term.
Reservoir bounced back strongly from its Round 3 shocker against Thomastown with a resounding victory over Watsonia at A.K. Lines Reserve.
Unlike the previous week, the Mustangs jumped out of the blocks early. Toby O’Meara proved a handful and had three goals in the first quarter. Nick Hearn was then moved on to O’Meara and held him to one goal thereafter.
But by that stage the Mustangs were away and never looked back. With Ryan Docherty’s penetrating kicking out of defence and Daniel Couwenberg controlling the outer wing, Reservoir drew away to win by 50 points.
Assistant coach Leon Edwards was happy the Mustangs were able to move the ball quickly. He was pleased that Brendon Meroli, normally a forward, played down back and blanketed dangerous Saint Nick Gaylor, who was coming off a five-goal haul against Parkside in Round 3.
Watsonia coach Damian Zanic was pleased with his move of David Gooding from defence to attack. But he lamented missing simple chances and giving away some easy goals, all of which contributed significantly to the loss.
Thomastown strengthened its grip on top spot with an impressive win over South Morang at Main Street Reserve. The Bears trailed by a point at half time, but the home team forged clear with a 13-goal to two second half to win their fourth game from four starts.
Michael Di Battista was the unlikely top goal scorer for the Bears with five, while Tristan Harrower and David Folino continued their great starts to the year. In his first senior game for the season, Russell Elder was the Lions’ best – with club coming off a 21-day break between their Round 2 win over Heidelberg West and Round 4 match against the Bears.
South Morang now finds itself outside the four and hosts St Mary’s in a crunch match at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. Both teams had high hopes for 2014, but have only one win each from their opening three games.
Reservoir has a chance to consolidate its spot in the top four when it plays Parkside at Pitcher Park. The Mustangs will be hot favourites to move to 3-1, but one of Parkside’s four wins in 2013 was an impressive 35-point win over the Mustangs, when Darren Gresham booted 11 second-half goals for the Devils.
The match of the day is at Main Street Reserve where Thomastown hosts Heidelberg West. Few would have expected these two teams to occupy the top two positions on the ladder after four rounds, particularly after the Hawks claimed the 2013 wooden spoon on the back of just one win.
The Bears will be favourites, with a two-game break plus 72 percentage points on the Hawks. They last met in the final round of 2013, with Thomastown notching a 10-goal win. But Heidelberg West is now a much better side – and this will be a great test of the level of their improvement.
Sitting in fourth place, with two wins and two losses, Watsonia sits out its first bye of the year.
