THERE were some big wins and one absolute thriller in Round 2 of Division 3 football.
Watsonia won a cliff-hanger against Banyule at R.J. Brockwell Oval. The Bears hit the lead late in the final stanza, but a late Michael Paske gave the Saints their second straight win in a four-point result.
Kilmore travelled for the first time in the NFL, heading to Epping and the game resulted in a 135-point win to the home side.
Epping’s forward line was potent with Aaron Willitts booting ten, four to Daniel Moore and three each to Kevin Kiernan and Chris Chilcott.
The game was won in the second term when Epping booted 8.4 to 1.1. The win eased the disappointment of club’s Round 1 loss at Mernda.
“We were happy that our blokes turned it around after last week,” Epping coach Greg Whitcroft noted. “They trained well and with a bit of purpose during the week.”
Kilmore’s effort failed to live up to its Round 1 showing when it was highly competitive against St Mary’s.
“Playing Epping showed us what it takes to become a good side in Division 3,” Kilmore coach Travis McCarty said. “The upcoming match (against Heidelberg West) will be a challenge for us as we go into the unknown.”
Mernda kept its perfect record intact with an impressive win against South Morang at Mill Park Lakes Reserve in a 124-102 shootout.
The win was set up with a seven-goal third term, which took the Demons from a one-point deficit to a 16-point buffer at the last change.
David Hutchinson was the only player to kick more than three goals in the high-scoring encounter, booting seven.
Despite the defeat, South Morang coach Dean Grainger saw improvement in his side, which has now slipped to 0-2.
“We were pretty poor the first week and better the second week,” Grainger said. “We are hoping to hit our straps in the coming weeks.”
St Mary’s finds itself perched on top of the ladder after a 106-point demolition of Heidelberg West at Whatmough Park.
“We aimed to come away with two wins in the first two rounds against teams that have been around us on the ladder,” St Mary’s coach Con Borg said. “The next three weeks is different. South Morang has beaten up on us in recent times and this week will show how far we have come.”
The Hawks had a bad day and have now lost Aidan Young to injury. Grant Toms remained positive despite the loss.
“There are good signs ahead and we are only going to get better,” Toms said. The club celebrates its 80th year this Saturday night.
In Round 3 action, two of the competition’s undefeated sides square off when Watsonia travels to Waterview Recreation Reserve to play Mernda.
The winner will have made an early claim for a finals spot with a 3-0 start to the season.
While the Demons may start slight favourites on their home ground, the Saints will be keen to emulate their 2015 start of 4-0.
The impressive thing about both teams is their wins have come against highly fancied opponents.
Top of the table St Mary’s hosts South Morang at Whatmough Park.
As mentioned above, the Lions have had some big wins over the Burra in recent times – including two 100-point plus wins.
This week they would be happy just to get the four points. A loss would put them two games out of the four.
A win is equally important for the Burra as they try to establish themselves as finals contenders.
Kilmore hosts Heidelberg West at J.J. Clancy Reserve in a contest that will see one team clinch its first win for the season.
Taking a form line through St Mary’s – who had a much bigger win over the Hawks than they did against the Blues a week earlier – Kilmore would be expected to win.
However, the Hawks would like nothing better than to celebrate their 80 years with a victory at Kilmore. Expect changes to each team as both suffered injuries in Round 2.
Banyule – who went within a whisker of being undefeated – travels to Epping Recreation Reserve to play an in-form Epping side to complete the round.
Both teams have multiple forward options and it should be an enthralling match-up. The battle to win centre clearances will be crucial.
With the Blues sitting fifth and a tiny percentage behind fourth-placed Banyule, a win would propel them in the top four – regardless of other results.
