Reservoir and South Morang recorded triple-figure winning margins in Round 5 action in Division 3, while Thomastown staved off a challenge by Heidelberg West.
The Bears got off to a flyer against the Hawks in the top of the table clash at Main Street Reserve, with a seven-goal to one first term. However, they lost Christopher Leo with a hamstring, while the Hawks’ lone goal-kicker, Kyl Ewart, was forced off with a groin injury – a big blow after kicking seven goals against Parkside in Round 4.
Heidelberg West gradually worked its way into the game and trailed by 26 points up at the last break, before Bear Jacob Osei-Duro, well held early, booted the first goal of the final quarter to give his team a handy lead.
But the Hawks rallied from 32 points down with four unanswered goals in quick time.
They appeared to boot a fifth after playing on from a free just outside 50. But the ball was brought back by the umpire, and the Hawks failed to score from the ensuing forward foray.
Thomastown then piled on the final four goals of the game. The final margin of 32 points belied the genuineness of the Heidelberg West challenge, who looks to be a genuine finals contender in 2014.
“The first quarter cost us,” lamented Hawks coach Derek Shaw. But he was encouraged that they staged a good fightback, praising co-captain Dan Bailey as his team’s best player on the day.
“We were confident we could win if we stuck to our team structures,” Bears coach Dean Sinclair noted. Despite being unhappy with some aspects of the game, he was pleased that his team responded well when challenged.
Reservoir followed on from its away win over Watsonia with a crushing victory over Parkside at Pitcher Park. The Devils could only manage one goal each quarter, although Tom McKinlay continued his early season form to be their best.
The Mustangs had plenty of forward options, with Ashley Flavel and David McGregor each registering five goals as their side cruised to a 111-point victory.
In a reversal of its Round 4 fade-out against Thomastown, South Morang romped away against St Mary’s at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. It was a surprising final margin in what was tipped by many to be a close game between two evenly-matched teams.
The Burra, fresh from the bye, managed only one goal after the main break. It is the second time in as many weeks that the team coming off the bye has dropped off dramatically after half time.
St Mary’s lost several players from its selected side, including captain Michael Costanzo. James Ind – who would likely be leading the club’s best and fairest –constantly drove his team into attack.
The Lions had attacking options everywhere and finished with 12 goal scorers. Their 101-point win saw them move into the top four at the expense of Watsonia, who had the bye. The Burra are languishing in second last spot on the ladder, with just one win.
In Round 6, Reservoir hosts Heidelberg West at Crispe Park. These teams currently occupy the second and third places on the ladder respectively and the tussle should provide plenty of entertainment.
Reservoir won all three of their matches against the Hawks last season, but their biggest margin was 25 points, indicating the even nature of the sides despite finishing in vastly different ladder positions last year.
Watsonia is coming off the bye and travels to Whatmough Park to play St Mary’s, who desperately needs a win to get its season back on track. Their 2013 contests were split at one win apiece.
The Burra are likely to get some players back from illness and injury, while Saint fans will be hoping that high-flying forward Jeremy Bennett will be fit enough to return after missing the club’s Round 4 outing against Reservoir.
South Morang has a chance to move up the ladder when it hosts winless Parkside at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. The Lions are level with Heidelberg West on wins and are less than one percent behind them in percentage following last weekend’s big win.
The last time the Lions and Devils met was the 2011 Division 3 Grand Final, where hot favourite South Morang overcame a 38-point deficit to win its first premiership in the NFL by 23 points.
