AN exciting Round 3 in Division 3 saw all three outsiders taking the four points.
2014 finalists Watsonia was tipped by many to drop down the ladder in 2015. However, the Saints find themselves in first place undefeated following two games this season after overcoming 2014 grand finalists Reservoir at A.K. Lines Reserve in Round 3.
Ruckman Matthew Crawford was a late withdrawal for Watsonia and his opposing ruckman Jason Dal Santo took full advantage of the situation and dominated early – helping the Mustangs jump out to a 19-point lead at quarter time.
But the Saints hit back hard to lead at half time and eventually ran out winners by 21 points. They have won both their games this year with a score line of 87-66.
“We looked for an even contribution from all 22 and that’s what we got,” unbeaten coach Corey McCall said.
Jeremy Bennett played his first game for the season and booted six goals. Ben Sutherland continued his good season for Watsonia with an excellent game at centre half back. Toby O’Meara, surprisingly, hadn’t scored a goal for Reservoir in the first two rounds, but rectified that with four majors.
Epping led for most of the day – staving off a third quarter challenge – to defeat a disappointing South Morang at Epping Recreation Reserve.
The Blues smashed the Lions in the clearances. Thomas Hughes and Leigh Judd were the benefactors of Joel Carter’s ruck work. Daniel Moore continued his good work, while Christopher Chilcott booted five goals to take his tally to 14 for the season.
Consistent winners were hard to find for the vanquished, but Brent Howlett was solid down back, while Simon Crump managed five goals from limited opportunities. The Lions will lick their wounds and have a bye before hosting St Mary’s at Mill Park Lakes Reserve.
St Mary’s opened its winning account for the year with a hard-fought victory over Banyule at Whatmough Park. Despite kicking a wasteful 1.7 in the second term, the Burra held on for an 11-point victory against their highly fancied opponents.
“They clearly outperformed us in 50/50 contests and got first use of the ball,” Banyule coach Jason Plant said.
Bear Luke French was the only player to back up a good performance in the first round with another solid effort. Teenager Brayden Seir was a standout for Banyule and kicked three goals.
St Mary’s Stephen Campbell deservedly won the inaugural David “Pigga” Williams Medal. His teammate Daniel Dober, who took a year off footy in 2014, excelled with three goals.
“I’m proud for the boys to get a win after all the work we put in during the pre-season,” Burra coach Con Borg said. “But it means nothing if we can’t back it up with a win next week.”
St Mary’s travels to Crispe Park to play Reservoir in Round 4 action. The Mustangs find themselves in unfamiliar territory after three rounds, in sixth place on the ladder.
Reservoir easily won both 2014 contests against the Burra last season and need to reproduce this form to improve its ladder position. If the Mustangs get 2014 league best and fairest Danny O’Sullivan back, it would be a huge boost. Nonetheless, they are still likely to be favoured to win.
The Burra may soon get a good feel for exactly where they stand with a big game this week and a Round 5 clash against South Morang to follow.
Surprise-packet Watsonia travels to Beverley Road Reserve for the first time to play Banyule in the Division 3 match of the round. The form line through St Mary’s suggests that Watsonia should beat the Bears.
However, many teams struggle to come up the week after having a Round 2 bye. It was certainly true of Reservoir in 2014 and Banyule, likewise, struggled last weekend. The Bears would be expected to improve on that effort and the tussle promises to be full of interest.
Heidelberg West will be looking for its first win when it hosts Epping at Heidelberg Park. Both teams’ most recent games were against South Morang.
The Hawks stormed home and narrowly missed pulling off a huge upset against the Lions two weeks ago. But Epping would be favoured to win after a comprehensive victory over South Morang last weekend.
However, the lesson from the early rounds is that no team can be taken lightly in 2015.
