SOUTH MORANG and Heidelberg West won thrillers over St Mary’s and Watsonia respectively in Round 14, while Reservoir romped in against Parkside.
Heidelberg West came from 31 points down at half time to defeat Watsonia by the narrowest of margins at Heidelberg Park in slogging conditions. The Hawks are now only outside the top four on percentage after consecutive upset wins.
Heidelberg West began its comeback in the third term. But despite Watsonia dominating inside the inside 50 count for the quarter, the Hawks outscored them 4.4 to 1.5 from limited opportunities.
When John Shanahan, who had kicked a major late in the third term, accepted a handball out of heavy traffic to goal early in the last, it was game on. Scores were level late in the game before an Aidan Young set shot resulted in a behind.
It was to be the final score of the game. Watsonia’s Matt Crawford marked 55 metres out on the final siren, but his shot with the heavy ball fell short.
The Heidelberg West players belted out the club theme song with gusto after the game.
“It was the bravest win from a group of young guys,” beamed the Hawks’ assistant coach Ray Walker.
“Poor conversion inside fifty cost us,” Saints’ coach Damian Zanic said. “And the ball came out too easily.”
Capping off a dirty day for the Saints, prolific forward Jeremy Bennett is on report.
South Morang came from 22 points down to overrun St Mary’s at Whatmough Park and win by four points. Incredibly, the Lions scored all their goals at one end of the ground, converting in only the second and fourth quarters.
Matthew Ciavarella and Jarrod Shaw continued their recent run of good form to be best for the luckless Burra, who slumped to their second narrow home defeat in as many weeks.
South Morang’s Jake Hough was a surprise leading goal kicker for the game with four majors, after only scoring three for the year to date. The win all but clinches third spot for the Lions.
After the Reservoir reserves team kept their opponent scoreless, the seniors scored 6.6 to nil against Parkside in the first term at Crispe Park. The most inexperienced Devils team for the 2014 season managed to become much more competitive thereafter, before eventually going down by 110 points.
“The boys’ pressure was excellent but we lacked a forward target,” Parkside coach George Lattouf noted.
The Parkside team included 43-year-old Abraham Kyriazis, as well as John Osmond from the United Kingdom.
Osmond walked into the club two months ago – having never touched the Sherrin. He was keen to learn how to play Aussie Rules. After some good reserves games, he has played the last two senior games for the Devils.
For the Mustangs, Matt Crump has been among the best for his last two games after also impressing in the reserves earlier in the year.
“We just want to play good footy and keep winning,” Reservoir coach Ross Terranova said. “Improving every week is the key.”
While Parkside has a much needed break in Round 15, the Mustangs will be the only team to play out the last five rounds without a bye. Reservoir’s next assignment is a trip to Mill Park Lakes Reserve to take on the in-form South Morang outfit, in what shapes as a huge contest in Division 3.
The Lions are on a four-game winning streak. Another victory would put them a game behind Reservoir in second place. But they were never in the hunt against the Mustangs in their previous encounter – losing by 28 points after being 54 points down at the last break.
Heidelberg West hopes to continue its giant-killing run when hosting top side Thomastown at Heidelberg Park. The Hawks pushed the Bears all the way in their Round 5 encounter at Main Street Reserve, before the home team pulled away late for a 32-point win.
Watsonia risks falling out of the top four after consecutive losses, but will be favoured to defeat sixth-placed St Mary’s when they meet at A.K. Lines Reserve. But the Burra pushed the Saints all the way in their Round 6 clash – before Watsonia edged clear to win by 20 points.
Bennett booted a bag of six goals in that encounter but will miss this weekend’s clash after receiving a two-match suspension in last week’s loss to Heidelberg West.
