Burra alone on top


Published on Sunday, April 22, 2018

Author : Doug Long

A seven-goal to one second term helped propel St Mary’s to a 50-point win over Kilmore at Whatmough Park in Round 3 of Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3.

The 16.18 (114) to 9.10 (64) win sees St Mary’s as the only undefeated team – sitting a game and percentage ahead of the competition. The game was played in perfect conditions – a stark contrast to the previous Saturday.

After a close and highly entertaining first term, the Burra seemed to have the game all parcelled up at the main break, leading by 42 points. Defender turned forward Jordan Dupont had three majors by half time and presented well across half forward.

The Blues came out after half time with a full head of steam and attacked relentlessly. Scott Swindells was proving a handful for the St Mary’s defenders. He took several contested marks in the third term, kicked a goal and missed a few other set shots.

Kilmore’s inaccuracy proved to be its undoing. The Blues managed a wasteful 3.7 for the third quarter – as well as some shots that missed everything. They got as close as 26 points until a late goal from Myles Guldon restored some composure for the home side.

In the final stanza, it was the Burra’s turn to miss shots at the eastern end. But their inaccuracy didn’t prove costly as the game was already safely in their keeping.

The ruck duel proved fascinating. Young St Mary’s ruckman Jordan Galea pleased his coach with his ruckwork and good follow-up ground work as well. On the other side, Brad Kite finished off the game strongly to be named in his team’s best for the third week in a row.

As well as Dupont scoring three majors, Dillan Ronalds, Myles Guldon and Matthew Patti all followed suit with three. Jake Dambrauskas, Nick Daisley and Lachlan Potter all worked well as linkmen for the Burra.

For Kilmore, Calder Cannons-listed player Jeremy Topham stood out with his ability to take a contested mark and finish off in front of goals. He scored three majors and worked well through the midfield as well.

Contested marking was also a feature of the Swindells brothers. Scott finished with three majors, while Matthew did well across half forward. At the other end of the ground, Daniel Matthew showed good composure across half back and regularly found targets in the midfield.

St Mary’s coach Fabian Carelli was happy with the performance – despite that fact Kilmore let them off the hook in the third term.

“It was a hotly contested game and the quality of footy played today was above third division standard,” Carelli said. “The second quarter was the best footy I have seen our boys play.”

Kilmore coach Nathan Phillips lamented his team not making the most of their opportunities – and a poor second term.

“We let ourselves down in one and a half quarters of footy,” Phillips said “St Mary’s are a well drilled side. They sensed when we were down and capitalised.”

Prior to the game, both seniors and reserves gathered together to hear the ANZAC Day last post in front of a wonderful ANZAC emblem on the Whatmough Park grass.

The Blues have another road trip next week when they travel to Lalor Reserve for their first-ever match against Lalor. They will regain a top four spot if they can overcome the Bloods. St Mary’s will look to strengthen its grip on top spot with a trip to Laurimar Reserve to play Laurimar.

Final score: St Mary’s 16.18 (114) def Kilmore 9.10 (64)

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