RESERVOIR and St Mary’s pulled away late to win well, as Thomastown scored another big win in Round 15 action of Division 3.
South Morang skipped away to a handy early lead against Reservoir at Mill Park Lakes Reserve last Saturday and led 2.6 to nil late in the first term. The Lions still held a 16-point lead at half time.
But they failed to capitalise on their period of dominance – in which Nick Johnston and Mitchell Buckley excelled – which could have seen them lead by a goal or two more.
Reservoir was kept in the contest early with the class of Daniel Couwenberg and Toby O’Meara. The Mustangs were then able to draw away from a brave, but tiring, South Morang for a convincing 23-point victory. The win seals the double chance for the Mustangs heading into the final month of the season.
Thomastown, well rested from the bye, brushed aside Heidelberg West with a thumping 96-point win at Heidelberg Park. The Bears slammed on 13 goals to three in the second half to win like a top of the table team should.
“I was impressed with how we ran out the game on the big ground,” Thomastown coach Dean Sinclair said.
His multi-pronged forward line included seven multiple goal kickers. Tristain Harrower and James Mercuri were among the best after both missed their team’s previous game against Parkside.
Heidelberg West was never in the game after an emotional, last-gasp win over Watsonia at the same venue the previous weekend. Jason Butera was the best for the Hawks, who remain outside the top four on percentage.
St Mary’s finals’ hopes looked gone after four losses on the trot, but its upset win over Watsonia at A.K. Lines Reserve last weekend sees it sit only a game outside the top four.
“It was the first time for the year that we played to our structures for four quarters, and the win keeps us in the hunt,” Burra coach Con Borg said.
“Even if only a mathematical chance, it gives us something to play for.”
James Ind was among the best for the Burra after not having played since Round 7. Another three of their best – under-19 players Jackson Wolczko, Nicholas Dean and Jordan Dupont – had not played a senior game prior to Round 10.
The Saints missed suspended forward Jeremy Bennett, although his brother Corey played in attack for a goal. Small crumber Jack Larkin did well with four majors.
“If we can rectify our efficiency going inside 50, we can kick some more goals,” Watsonia coach Damian Zanic said.
Jarryd Allan will come back after Watsonia’s Round 16 bye, while Jeremy Bennett will return the following week.
Round 16 of Division 3 sees Parkside return from the bye to host St Mary’s at Pitcher Park. Since mid-season, teams have done much better after the break when compared to the early season trends.
A win by St Mary’s will draw it level with fourth-placed Watsonia on points. But the Burra are a large 23 percentage points behind the Saints and will have to make some inroads quickly.
Heidelberg West will leapfrog Watsonia into fourth spot if it defeats South Morang away at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. But the Lions, now safely holding third place, would be the firm favourites. The Hawks haven’t gone within 40 points of the Lions in their previous two encounters this season.
In what many will see as a grand final preview, Thomastown hosts Reservoir at Main Street Reserve. Both teams are assured of the double chance and the winner is likely to finish atop the ladder.
Their 2014 contests have been split one-all. In Round 3, the Bears blew the Mustangs away early and went on to win by 83 points at Crispe Park.
The Round 10 tussle at Main Street Reserve saw Reservoir break the game open in the mid stages to lead by 36 points at one stage. The Bears finished strongly, without ever looking like winning, failing by 10 points.
Leading goal kicker, Thomastown’s Jacob Osei-Duro, and Reservoir’s Ashley Flavel both kicked five goals for their teams on that day. Whichever team shuts down their opponent’s dangerous forwards will go a long way to claiming the victory.
Steven Cadby is available for Thomastown after serving his suspension.
