Mernda have claimed a second huge scalp in as many weeks after a thrilling eight-point victory over Laurimar in their Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 battle at Waterview Recreation Reserve.
The Demons did have to survive a last quarter surge from the Power, with the visitors even hitting the front during the final term, but the hosts did enough to secure the 12.14 (86) to 11.12 (78) triumph.
Few tipsters would have had Robert Fletcher’s men in their top four predictions, but they now have beaten the 2022 preliminary finalists and the runners-up to open the 2023 season.
“It was a little bit of reward for our hard work,” Fletcher said.
The senior coach noted that his young players have improved after getting senior minutes into them last season.
Riley Vincent was solid down back for the Demons, while Michael Evans impressed while covering a lot of territory. Kai Turner got plenty of it across half back and used the ball well.
After a brilliant opening term of skill and intensity, the Demons led a highly rated Power team by six goals.
Instrumental in the strong start was forward Daniel Smith who booted four majors in the opening term. With straighter kicking, he could have had six.
The second quarter yielded five straight goals for the home team, with busy wingman Christopher Roussos and key forward Bryce Kimuliatis each slotting two goals.
A dominant midfield led by Gus Mills and a bright start from Riley Edwards also assisted Mernda in establishing the big lead.
Laurimar’s chances were hanging by a thread at the main break trailing after trailing by 36-points, and their fans were wondering if they could close the gap enough to mount a serious challenge. They didn’t have long to wait as the Power totally dominated the third term to get back into the match.
Teenager Cooper Herbert was a stand-out for Laurimar in the opening half following a terrific debut last week, but Josh Leather and Ethan Bateman both stepped up after half time to kick-start a big comeback.
Winning the inside 50’s count 15 to four in the third quarter, the Power kicked 4.5 to 0.3 to trail by a mere 10-points at the last change. Their pressure was a step up from earlier in the game and Mernda players started to make some unforced errors as a result.
With a positive vibe at the huddle, the message from Power coach Jimmy Atkins at the three-quarter time break was all about “pressure”. With the Demons looking vulnerable, Laurimar were hoping to run over the top of the home side in the last term.
All was going to plan early on, with Jai Langford being able to dribble the ball through for a goal, despite some heavy pressure, at the three-minute mark. A snap at the ten-minute mark by Josh Leather saw the Power hit the front for the first time in the match.
While Laurimar looked to have gained enough momentum to run away with the game, two brilliant acts swung the game back into Mernda’s favour.
At the next centre bounce, the Demons moved the ball forward and Matthew Bawden marked 45 metres from goal.
It sailed straight over the goal umpire’s hat to regain the lead for his team within a minute.
Soon after, Mernda attacked again and despite great pressure from Laurimar’s defenders, a series of handballs ended up again with Bawden who snapped another to give his team an 11-point buffer.
But the Power players persisted, and Micah Vecchio became his team’s only multiple goal-scorer when he snapped his second. It bridged the deficit to a solitary goal, but it was to be the last major of the contest.
With the game in the balance and the local crowd hoping for their best win in some years, the final few minutes probably seemed like hours with each contest being crucial.
Joel Harris lifted late in the game with expert disposal and a crucial tackle. He and others kept the ball mainly in the Demons’ forward half and the final siren blew with the red and blue prevailing.
While the comeback after half time made for an enthralling spectacle, Laurimar coach Jimmy Atkins rued the big start his team gave away.
“I’m proud of the way we fought back,” he said.
“But you cannot let a good side like Mernda run all over you in the first half and then expect to win.”
Kaiden Arthur impressed on the wing for the Power and took some good, contested marks. Nathan Andrews was reliable as always in defence, while youngster Noah Mooney clunked some good intercept marks.
Mernda climbed to second spot on the table with the win and will travel to Kinglake Memorial Oval for a top of the table clash with the Lakers.
Meanwhile Laurimar will look to return to the winners list and the top four when hosting Lalor at Laurimar Reserve.
