ALL three outsiders came storming home in Round 2 action of Division 3 football last weekend.
While Heidelberg West and Epping failed by less than a kick, Watsonia finished strongly to overrun St Mary’s at Whatmough Park.
The Burra were level at quarter time. They had increased their lead to 13 points at the last change and looked set for victory. But Watsonia kicked 6.4 to a solitary goal in the final stanza to win running away.
“I challenged our leadership group to lead in the final quarter and they did that,” Watsonia Corey McCall said afterwards.
Nathan Groves failed to kick a single major in 2014 but booted five against the Burra. Andrew Kidd, Jack Larkin and Jordan Brown all scored multiple goals in the win. Talls Matthew Crawford and Ben Sutherland were also solid contributors.
“Their leaders stood up and they wanted the win more than us,” lamented St Mary’s coach Con Borg.
The Burra now sit second bottom on the ladder and winless, but they have had chances to win both their opening two games. Compounding their problems is a hamstring injury to James Ind. He was among his team’s best in both matches so far.
Reservoir led for most of the day and narrowly hung on against Epping at Crispe Park. The Mustangs were strongly challenged late in the game, but managed to cling on in front of their 1975 premiership team, who were celebrating a reunion in the clubrooms.
Daniel Moore was a stand-out in the ruck for Epping, while Judd Darby excelled for the Mustangs and may be a suitable replacement for departed best and fairest winner Daniel Couwenberg.
Heidelberg West stormed home from 38 points down at three quarter time against South Morang at Heidelberg Park. The Hawks almost caused the biggest upset of the season to date, but failed by three points.
“It was very pleasing to finish the game off in the way we did,” Heidelberg West coach Derek Shaw said. “There were lots of positive signs.”
Kyl Ewart, who struggled with injuries in 2014, shot to an early lead in the goal kicking with a bag of seven. The Lions struggled to hold him at the game wore on, despite dropping players back into the hole in front of him at times.
Down the other end, star recruit Alex Demeo held Lion Paul Harrison to a single goal. Harrison was later moved onto the ball. Matthew Trim and Mitch Buckley were among the best for South Morang.
The Hawks now have the bye before hosting Epping the follow week.
Top of the table South Morang travels to Epping in Round 3 action – hoping to remain a game clear atop of the ladder. But the Lions may have some injury concerns arising out of their match against the Hawks.
A win by the Blues would strengthen their position on the top four. They will be expecting improvement as their group of new players familiarise themselves with each other.
Corey McCall will be hoping to keep his 100 percent success rate as a coach in tact when his Watsonia hosts Reservoir at A.K. Lines Reserve in what shapes as an interesting duel.
The Saints were upset winners in the round just gone and are likely to be the underdogs once more. It will be interesting to see where surprise Round 2 multiple goal kicker Nathan Groves plays this week.
The Mustangs will move into the top four with a win. With some players from the 2014 grand final team yet to play in 2015, they should be able to lift in coming weeks.
St Mary’s hosts the undefeated Banyule in a fascinating encounter at Whatmough Park.
The Burra will be desperate to open their account after being competitive in both losses to date in 2015. Banyule had a great win in the opening round over Heidelberg West and that form has been made look even better after the Hawks ran the Lions to three points in Round 2.
But it will be a challenge for Banyule. They had a huge build-up to the first game and then had a bye in last week. Teams often struggled to come up after the bye early in 2014, but the Bears would nonetheless be favoured to win this encounter.
Announcement from St Mary’s
With Banyule joining the NFL for the 2015 season, its a great opportunity for a get together on Saturday. The St Mary’s Football Club would like to invite you all for a big day on the balcony, watching the local footy and having a few beverages.
There will be a best on ground medal named after the great Dave "Pigga " Williams, a 300-game player and doyan of Banyule FC. The medal will be presented by Dave’s son Rory, a St Mary’s junior premiership player in 2014.
Everyone is welcome for a free feed at half time. The AFL will be on the big screens and drinks will be at bar prices.
There will also be a half time Auskick game, featuring super stars of the future from both clubs.
If you want to march on ANZAC morning then its a 30 second walk from the Greensborough RSL to Whatmough Park.
