A look ahead to Round 10 in Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3.
Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 football is set to resume on June 19 after two rounds of football were missed due to the most recent Victorian lockdown.
With the Queen’s Birthday weekend bye taken into account, it will be four weeks between games for the teams.
With Rounds 8 and 9 not played, the fixture has been amended to ensure each team plays each opponent at least twice during the season.
Seven rounds have been completed and every team has played each opponent once.
Currently, South Morang is unbeaten on seven wins, two games clear of three sides at 5-2, including Laurimar, Kilmore and Heidelberg West.
History suggests that all four sides currently sitting in the top half of the ladder have some claims to the 2021 flag. But it must be noted that each premier came via the second semi-final. Therefore, the fight for the double chance is vital.
In what shaped as a season-defining game, Old Eltham Collegians were eyeing off a finals spot when playing Kilmore at J.J. Clancy Reserve back in Round 7.
The Turtles led at the main break but were not able to hold out the Blues. A four-goal to one third term secured Kilmore a nine-point victory – its fourth win in a row, which kept the Blues in third spot on the ladder.
“It was a hard-fought win. We did what we had to and I’m proud of the way the boys composed themselves late in the game.” Kilmore coach Nathan Phillips said.
Phillips was pleased with Grant Paxton’s effort in the backline, with the key defender winning some crucial one-on-one battles at vital times. Michael McCulloch’s ruck work in the dying minutes also helped get the Blues over the line.
Old Eltham Collegians would have been level on points with the Blues with a win, but now they sit two games and percentage outside the top four. Nonetheless, fans of the Turtles would feel they are a chance to topple a top side after that effort.
Jeremy Murphy booted four majors and was best for the Turtles, while Corey Ray also contributed well.
South Morang consolidated top spot with a 16-point win over Heidelberg West at Heidelberg Park, in what was a battle between the first and second-placed sides on the ladder.
Each team had periods of dominance, but the Lions were slightly more clinical and were able to take the pace out of the contest late in the game as they protected their lead.
South Morang led by four goals in the first term, but then had to come from two goals behind in the third term. The Lions finished with seven of the last ten goals, winning without key players Jake Potter and Matthew Trim.
Laurimar moved to second place on the ladder with a 106-point win over Lalor at Laurimar Reserve, boosting its percentage from 153.08 to 170.36 to jump up two places on the ladder.
The Bloods were well in the game early but missed some gettable shots. The Power ran rampant after the interval with 14 goals to two.
“Very happy we played some good Laurimar footy in the second half,” Laurimar coach Jimmy Atkins said.
Under-17s player Matthew Ryan was outstanding in just his second senior game, while Michael Brennan impressed in the ruck. This allowed Josh Leather to spend more time forward and he finished with four goals.
“We weren’t good enough for long enough,” Lalor coach Gary Cutler said.
Cutler was full of praise for Brad Johnstone, who kept Josh Williamson to three majors despite the regular supply of ball into Laurimar’s forward 50m.
Despite missing two games, Williamson still heads the goal kicking table with 25 majors. Lalor’s Sam Rexhepi sits second on 20 goals after he also kicked three in the defeat at Laurimar Reserve.
Mernda won its first game since Round 1 with a 42-point triumph over Reservoir at Crispe Park. Relief would be the best way to describe the feeling inside the Mernda camp after the match.
Aaron Colliss returned to top form and was instrumental in the win, while emerging star William Crouch kicked four goals to make it nine majors in two weeks.
The match was a win-win result, as the Demons got back on the winners’ list, while Reservoir had its first loss by under 50 points.
“A massive improvement. Proud of their efforts, but still a long way to go,” Reservoir coach Jason Hamilton said.
Hamilton was pleased with the form of Nick Gregson, Zane Pugliese-Thompson and Jack Smith.
Round 10 is a little difficult to assess due to the extended break between games. Given the high number of injuries prior to the break that affected all teams to an extent, the announcement of team line-ups will be of interest.
Mernda heads to Eltham College to tackle Old Eltham Collegians.
Based on recent form, the Turtles would be favoured to follow their narrow loss away to Kilmore with a win which would move them within a game of fourth place.
However, with the pressure relief valve released after snapping a five-game losing streak, the Demons would give themselves a chance to prevail and draw level with Old Eltham Collegians on three wins.
To achieve this, they would need to improve markedly on their Round 5 clash at the same venue, which resulted in a 42-point loss.
Kilmore will be looking to consolidate its spot in the top four when it hosts Reservoir at J.J. Clancy Reserve.
While Kilmore players will be first and foremost focussing on getting the vital four points, they would be aware that a big win is likely to see them climb to second place on the ladder.
The Mustangs began the year 0-7 and it is no doubt tough to lose week after week. So, the break may be good for them and they can recommence the year with renewed energy.
The teams previously met in Round 5 when the Blues won by 142 points and Reservoir fans will be hoping for a much closer contest in the return match.
South Morang plays host to Lalor at Mill Park Lakes Reserve.
If the Lions can notch up victories against all the bottom four teams in the run home, they will secure the double chance.
They would be highly favoured on their home deck to beat the Bloods and remain undefeated for the season.
Their last meeting in Round 5 saw South Morang win by 139 points. Numerically, it was Lalor’s worst result for the season.
Having performed well against several top four sides, the Bloods will be expecting a closer contest, given that they have had a chance to refresh during the break and may see some players back from injury.
Match of the day status belongs to the contest between Laurimar and Heidelberg West at Laurimar Reserve.
With the double chance still up for grabs, a win in this match will position the winner well as the season heads towards the finals.
The Hawks won their most recent tussle in Round 5 at Heidelberg Park – establishing a lead in the middle portion of the game and then hanging on.
The Power was wasteful in front of goal on the day, with a return of 8.20 and would be looking for more accuracy in front of goal this time.
Laurimar will see this as a good chance to turn the tables on the Hawks and an enticing encounter is expected.
Heidelberg West probably goes in as the underdog given they are playing on opposition territory. The Hawks trail Laurimar on percentage and will go ahead of them if they can win.
