THOMASTOWN and Reservoir further strengthened their grips on the double chance with wins in Round 12 of Division 3 football, while Watsonia’s win takes it two games clear of fifth-placed Heidelberg West.
In Round 12, Thomastown played St Mary’s at Main Street Reserve for the second time in six weeks. St Mary’s fell short by a goal in their Round 7 encounter, but this time Thomastown blew the game wide open by kicking six goals to two into the wind in the third term.
This set up a match-winning 40-point lead at the final change and they eventually won by 56 points.
Both teams were wasteful with the wind, scoring a combined 9.25 between them with the breeze at their backs.
“It was a scrappy game, but a good effort in the end,” Bears coach Dean Sinclair said.
Michael Khoury, in his third game back, scored five goals at full forward to take his tally to eight goals over the past fortnight. Leading goal kicker Jacob Osei-Duro played forward to score two goals, as well as well as doing some ruckwork. He also pulled off the highlight of the game with a high-flying mark midway through the third term.
On a sour note for the Bears, Steven Cadby was placed on report and is at risk of facing a second suspension for the year.
Lee Minuz backed up some good recent form by being named best for the Burra in defeat.
“Thomastown, being a good side, took it up a gear in the third quarter and we couldn’t go with them,” St Mary’s coach Con Borg noted.
After playing nine games without a break, Heidelberg West came off a much-needed bye and looked refreshed early against Reservoir at Heidelberg Park.
But the Mustangs were too strong in the end, despite being challenged a couple of times by the Hawks. Toby O’Meara returned from a brief injury lay-off to boot six goals, including all four Reservoir goals of the final term.
Recent inclusion Matt Crump did well down back after Ben Meroli went off injured and was named in the Mustangs’ best. Justin Kuchel, Adam Meroli and Adam McLaughlin all got through unscathed in their return to senior football.
“It was an ugly win, but another four points,” Reservoir coach Ross Terranova said. The win puts his team close to sealing the double chance as they go to the Round 13 bye.
Despite its loss, Heidelberg West moved up to fifth place on the ladder, ahead of St Mary’s by the barest percentage break.
Watsonia put recent bad losses to Thomastown and Reservoir behind them with a 106-point win over Parkside at Pitcher Park to move two games clear of the chasing Hawks and the Burra.
“I am happy that the boys rebounded well from last week,” Saints coach Damian Zanic said. “Our skills were better and this helped us win.”
Hayden Mitchell and Jeremy Bennett each booted four goals in the big win.
Parkside ran out of bench rotations in the third quarter in their second consecutive 100+ point loss.
“We’re working hard as a team, but are pretty undermanned. I’m happy with the effort,” coach George Lattouf said. He noted that Clint Virgona rucked all day alone and was outstanding.
Round 13 of Division 3 football is highlighted by a third versus fourth clash between South Morang and Watsonia at A.K. Lines Reserve. A win by the home side would put them level on wins with the Lions.
In their last meeting, South Morang was behind at the last break, but stormed home to win running away. Watsonia claimed a six-point in their Round 1 encounter.
Parkside travels to Main Street Reserve to play its coach’s old team Thomastown in a bottom against top clash. The Bears have notched up triple-digit wins in both their clashes this season and will be the hottest of favourites again.
Heidelberg West is ahead of St Mary’s on the ladder by a mere .01 of a percent. They play at Whatmough Park – both hoping to keep their slim finals chances alive. Their 2014 contests are split at one game each, although the Hawks were victorious in their last clash at this venue.
If South Morang wins, the winner of this fifth versus sixth contest will be a game and percentage outside the four. To make matters more interesting, Watsonia plays the Hawks and the Burra after the Lions.
