THOMASTOWN won a thriller over St Mary’s in Round 7 action of Division 3, while Watsonia and Reservoir consolidated their top four positions.
St Mary’s really came out firing against Thomastown at Main Street Reserve last Saturday. They applied great pressure to the Bears. James Ind, back after missing the previous week, played up forward and snagged two first term goals.
The Bears found themselves down 0.8 to 4.3 before a Joe Merlo goal sparked them. Jacob Osei-Duro soon had three goals in quick time to put his team in front. He finished with five majors to head the goal kicking ladder after a third of the season.
The Burra again regained the lead after half time, but a five-goal to three last term saw the Bears win the Paul Hopper Cup by a mere six points after a major scare. In doing so, they became the just the second team in 2014 to win first up after the bye, following Watsonia who did so in Round 6.
A highlight in the Thomastown v St Mary’s reserves match was when Zac Fleming kicking a long bomb from the centre square in his 350th game.
Reservoir remains a game behind Thomastown after a good win over South Morang at Crispe Park, and managed to make some inroads on the percentage gap – now down to 21%. However, the Mustangs did let slip a chance to bridge that gap even further – with the Lions finishing fast to narrow the margin from an even 10 goals to the end result of 28 points.
Despite the late fadeout, Reservoir would be happy as its head to its second bye this year, having won four matches in succession since being thumped by the Bears in Round 3.
Heidelberg West was expected to test Watsonia at A.K. Lines Reserve, but a nine-goal to one second term gave the Saints a 51-point half time lead.
The Hawks never recovered after the interval. Kyl Ewart, who had kicked two goals in his first game back from injury, left the ground injured again in the third term. They seemed to play without any confidence as the Saints soared to a 95-point victory. It was yet another case of a team second up after the bye exceeding expectations.
A Bennett goal in the final term saw him mobbed by team mates. But it was Corey Bennett, not six-goal kicker Jeremy who was beset upon. Corey had been sent forward late in the game and managed to slot his first major for the season.
While Hawks coach Derek Shaw lamented his team’s worst performance for the season, Saints coach Damian Zanic was delighted with the result.
“Our game plan is coming together slowly,” said Zanic. He was happy with the team’s decision making and the pressure they were able to apply to the Hawks. The back six were also praised for their combined effort.
Now that each team has played each other once, it is Thomastown, Reservoir, Watsonia and South Morang who occupy the top four spots on the ladder. There is a game plus percentage gap to Heidelberg West, with St Mary’s and Parkside in the bottom two places.
Parkside is still looking for its first win as it comes off the bye to host the unbeaten Thomastown at Pitcher Park. Following a spirited last-up performance against South Morang in Round 6, the Devils seem to be improved on their 109-point loss to the Bears in Round 1, but will still be rank outsiders.
Heidelberg West finally returns to Heidelberg Park against St Mary’s after three weeks on the road against top four opponents. The Hawks will be looking for a win to regain lost confidence. They did beat St Mary’s in an upset back in Round 3 at Whatmough Park, following a five-goal to zero final term.
The Burra have been very competitive recently without winning, but need to get the four points to keep in touch with the top four. Captain Michael Costanzo must be a chance to return after being a late withdrawal from the selected side which played Thomastown.
Match of the round status belongs to the South Morang versus Watsonia clash at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. The Saints narrowly won their Round 1 clash at the same venue, but a good win could see the fourth-placed Lions leapfrog the Saints into third spot on the ladder.
