FORMER Essendon and Fremantle player Scott Gumbleton is set to debut for Banyule when the Bears journey to Heidelberg Park to take on Heidelberg West in Round 9.
Gumbleton’s presence is likely to create huge interest in this match between the bottom two teams on the Division 3 ladder. He comes to Victoria from Western Australia after being approved a clearance from Peel Thunder.
Ironically, the Bears have just lost a handy player in Stephen Tindale – who heads to Western Australia for work reasons.
Banyule is hoping to snap a five game losing streak, while Heidelberg West – despite some narrow defeats – is still looking to open its account for 2015.
Round 8 action of Division 3 football saw Epping move into second spot on the ladder after beating Watsonia by the narrowest of margins at Epping Recreation Reserve.
The Blues jumped out to a 4.3 to nil lead at quarter time and led all day – expect for a brief moment immediately after half time.
Daniel Moore’s five goals for Epping proved to be the difference. Three of those majors came within a five-minute period in the third term to put some distance between the teams.
While Moore has been best for the Blues this year, Hayden Mitchell has been outstanding for the Saints. He booted three goals for Watsonia – including two against the wind either side of Moore’s three to put his team back into the game.
The local crowd was on the edge of their seats as Epping hung on in a thriller. The Blues now go to the bye well placed – before hosting Heidelberg West the following week.
South Morang visited Whatmough Park to record a massive 106-point thumping of St Mary’s.
The Lions have won their past two games by an average of over 100 points and now have a stranglehold on top spot – leading second-placed Epping by a win and over 60 percentage points.
The Burra had the first use of the wind and led by nine points at quarter time thanks to some good ball movement. The game then mirrored their Round 5 encounter – with the Lions booting eight goals with the wind to put a space between them and their opponents.
The Lions’ work rate and pressure was excellent after quarter time. After leading by 29 points at half time, South Morang totally dominated the game – with 13.11 to 1.6 in the second half.
“We persisted, held our structures, backed ourselves in and we finally broke the game open,” South Morang coach Craig Lambert said.
Paul Harrison’s ten goals moved him into top spot on the goal-kicking ladder. He booted six in the final term as the Lions ran riot. The much improved Daniel Delromano and the polished Wayne Pavitt each chipped in with three majors.
The loss put St Mary’s a game and percentage behind Watsonia – who are in fourth place. Jarrod Bunker did well for the Burra but didn’t have enough helpers on the day.
“You just move on from that and how we bounce back next week will determine how far we have come this year,” Burra coach Con Borg said. “The Lions are the team to beat and they are the only team to beat us the past five weeks.”
The contest was another with a 23rd man in each team. Lachlan Golledge played that role for South Morang after playing the previous week in the under-17s. James Boarotto was the 23rd man for the Burra and kicked a goal playing as a half forward.
Round 9 action of Division 3 football sees a top-four game with South Morang hosting Reservoir at Mill Park Lakes Reserve.
Both teams are coming off huge wins. The Lions have won their past two games by over 90 points, while the Mustangs had a bye after a crushing 82-point home win over Epping in Round 7.
South Morang will go two games clear on top if it wins, while Reservoir would regain second spot if it is victorious.
St Mary’s heads to A.K. Lines Reserve to play Watsonia in a game which is crucial for the finals aspirations of both teams.
The Burra will either find themselves level on points with the Saints at the end of the day or two games behind. Watsonia will be keen to snap its two-game losing streak after beginning the year and 4-0.
