ALL three lower placed teams registered wins in an exciting Round 13 of Division 3 action.
Heidelberg West won its first game for the year in style against St Mary’s at Heidelberg Park. In a similar vein to early season form, the Hawks were good early and led by 17 points at the main break.
The Burra challenged strongly in the third term, but Heidelberg West held firm under pressure and then drew away with three goals to nil in the final stanza to win by 29 points.
Jamie Basaranowicz and Aaron Young both played their best games for the season for the Hawks. The club had a more even contribution from the entire list and this helped them to win impressively.
With his nearest rivals recording modest totals, Kyl Ewart’s five majors moved him 12 goals clear on top of the goal kicking ladder.
“A classy win, a complete game,” Hawk assistant coach Ray Walker said after the win.
The result would have been a devastating blow for Burra coach Con Borg just one week after his team had scored an upset win over Epping. Nick Gedge excelled for St Mary’s and also managed a goal.
Watsonia trailed at every change but stormed home with 5.3 to 1.3 in the final term to record a 19-point victory over league-leader South Morang.
Jeremy Bennett was goalless the previous week, but returned to form with four against the Lions. Jordan Brown did well for a Saints team that knows how to share the load. Benjamin Nesci was among the best for the Lions.
Epping lost its second consecutive game at Epping Recreation Reserve against a team outside the top four when it went down to Banyule by 14 points.
Despite the Blues losing both Leigh Judd and Daniel Moore from the selected side, they looked sharp early as they surged to a 25-point lead at half time. Epping’s tackling pressure and use of the ball was exceptional in the first half in the wet conditions.
But the Bears were a lot cleaner with their ball use after struggling for a half and kicked an amazing 10.0 to 2.7 after the main break to record an impressive win.
“It was a game of two halves,” Banyule coach Jason Plant said. “I was really pleased with the players’ composure with the footy. They hit targets and took the game on in the second half.”
Luke French was superb in his defensive role for the Bears. Michael Italia went forward after half time and nailed four goals, while Scott Gumbleton spent time in defence.
Thomas Hughes did well for the Blues despite being closely watched by a variety of opponents.
Epping coach Steve Power would be rueing some missed set shots late in the game and his side now goes to the bye having missed a chance to sure up its ladder position. The Blues travel to A.K. Lines Reserve to play Watsonia after the bye.
This week, Reservoir journeys to Heidelberg Park to play a rejuvenated Heidelberg West in Round 14 action. Despite some patchy form early in the season, the Mustangs will find themselves third on the ladder if they can overcome the Hawks.
This is a must-win game for them as they strive for a top-two spot. They played at the same venue in Round 6 this year, when Reservoir romped away after half time to record a 57-point victory.
Banyule has recorded back to back wins – either side of its bye – against top-four teams. The Bears now face another such challenge as they chase a finals berth when they host South Morang at Beverley Road Reserve.
But they would need to improve on their only previous meeting, when the Lions won by a 95 points at Mill Park Lakes Reserve.
South Morang could have been two games and percentage clear on top had it overcome Watsonia – and will be desperate to get back on the winners’ list as soon as possible.
Fresh from overrunning the league-leader, Watsonia ventures to Whatmough Park to take on St Mary’s. This is their third meeting for the season with the Saints winning both previous encounters.
However, the most recent contest saw the Burra fly home late to fail by only five points and this looms as a danger game for Watsonia.
