A look ahead to this weekend’s Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 matches.
Lalor returned to the winners’ list for the first time since Round 1 in a windy Round 12 in Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3.
The Bloods pulled away in the final term for a 32-point win over Reservoir at Lalor Reserve. In a huge boost for the club, the win puts them two games clear of the Mustangs and virtually ensures that the wooden spoon has been avoided.
“I was pleased to see the smiles on their faces coming off the ground,” Lalor coach Dean Grainger said.
Reservoir took momentum into the final term after kicking the final three goals of the third quarter to head into the last charge just four points behind. However, they couldn’t keep pace in the last quarter.
The one positive for the club on the day was that they secured a win in the reserves. The win puts the Mustangs reserves two games clear in fourth spot.
Heidelberg West and Panton Hill fought out a terrific contest at Heidelberg Park. The Redbacks had their noses in front for most of the day and came out eight-point winners.
The Hawks lost Jarryd Coulson prior to the game. Panton Hill dealt with injuries on the day and had to dig deep to hold on. Scott Conte was a standout for the Redbacks.
“Relieved and proud of the way they went about it,” Panton Hill coach Steve Layt said.
St Mary’s journeyed to J.J. Clancy Reserve to take on Kilmore and came away with a 15-point win. The ball spent almost all day on the Kellys Lane side of the oval.
The Blues had only managed 0.2 to three quarter time but kept the Burra goalless in the final term, while scoring four of their own. Jeremy Topham and Leigh Irons led the way in the late charge for Kilmore.
After a run in the reserves the previous week, Chris Petroro made his senior return for the Burra and contributed well in his first game since Round 2.
“It was a tough hard-fought battle. The effort was pretty good from both teams,” St Mary’s coach Fabian Carelli said. The Burra are now three games clear atop the ladder.
South Morang was four goals down at the main interval, but stormed home to defeat Mernda by 10 points at a windy Waterview Recreation Reserve.
In a crucial match – and yet another close game between these teams – Brody Bell impressed for the Lions in his first senior game for the club, playing as the 23rd Man.
“A tale of two halves,” South Morang coach Gary Hall said. “We played well in the second half when it mattered.”
The win took the Lions to third place – moving ahead of Mernda on percentage. Panton Hill – like South Morang and the Demons – has seven wins, but with a superior percentage and a game in hand.
Laurimar sits a game back in fifth place, but with a game in hand and a superior percentage to Mernda.
Round 13 action in Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 sees Mernda travel to Crispe Park to take on Reservoir. This is a must-win game for the Demons as they look to secure their place in the top-four.
They will be hot favourites for this one over the winless Mustangs. And although Reservoir came close to a win in their Round 7 clash at Waterview Recreation Reserve, the team changes since then will strongly favour Mernda.
Kilmore embarks on its longest road trip to play Heidelberg West at Heidelberg Park. Both teams appear to be out of the finals race now after honourable losses to top-four teams last weekend.
But the battle will still be hotly contested as both outfits endeavour to finish the year strongly and with as many wins as possible.
Panton Hill hosts South Morang at A.E. Cracknell Reserve. A win by the Redbacks would set them up well to claim the double chance.
But the Lions won their Round 7 encounter at Mill Park Lakes Reserve by 17 points in a minor upset. This match-up will not be easy for tipsters. The South Morang side has looked more settled recently – with Luke Shelton and Tye Hall returning.
Laurimar travels to Whatmough Park to play St Mary’s. A win by the Power would complete a quartet of victories against top-four teams and they would be level on wins with the fourth team at the end of the round.
It will be their toughest task in the past month and the Burra will be favourites, but Laurimar will enter the contest full of confidence.
