The race for the double chance continues, while teams in fifth and sixth spots face a big challenge to make the top four as teams prepare for this weekend’s Heidelberg Golf Cub Division 3 action.
Heidelberg West had drawn to within four points of fourth spot with their Round 12 win over Kilmore, but then lost to an improved Mernda at Waterview Recreation Reserve. The Hawks led by a solitary point at the last change, but the Demons came home to the scoring end to win by 26 points.
Ryan Bongetti returned to the team to score three goals in a best on ground display and Dayne Kellett turned the game on its head late in the contest. The win sees Mernda draw level with Heidelberg West on six wins.
“There were a few momentum swings, but credit to Mernda,” said Heidelberg West coach Michael Missen.
“They had the fresher legs and were able to outwork us in the back end of the game.”
Alex Hywood booted five for the Hawks and was their best. He is now third on the goal-kicking table and four goals behind Demon Bryce Kimuliatis who also had a good day with four majors of his own.
Top team Laurimar won easily against Lalor at Laurimar Reserve to the tune of 207 points. Jacson Cecil kicked eight majors to maintain his healthy lead in the goal-kicking table. With 71 majors, Cecil is a chance to kick 100 this year as well as win the Coaches MVP award where he sits equal first alongside South Morang’s Bailey Brown.
Ethan Frawley again impressed, and Joel Lawson slotted five majors. The Power are now two games plus percentage ahead of the third placed Turtles.
“I’m very pleased about the improved effort this week with straight kicking and good execution,” said Laurimar coach Jimmy Atkins.
The losing margin by the Bloods slightly bettered their last game against Laurimar, with Ray Poulton, Ned Hawkins, Dylan Cawsey and Kane Toronis impressing the coach.
“Morale is great around the club and we are still trying to find a win as we work towards next year,” said Lalor coach Angelo Lamanna.
Kilmore had ‘two’ wins on the weekend.
Firstly, they scored a percentage-boosting 171-point win against Reservoir at J.J. Clancy Reserve, but just as importantly, the win by Mernda over Heidelberg West means that the Blues are now two games and percentage clear of the fifth placed Hawks and sixth placed Demons.
Marcus Webb and Grant Paxton booted five goals apiece, while Chris Barton kicked three playing midfield and forward. Michael Fenech also took full use of a late call-up to slot three majors in his first senior appearance for the club.
“We’re pleased to get back to playing footy our way,” said Kilmore coach Nathan Phillips.
Reservoir coach Justin George gave Daniel Cole the chance to learn off the best by sending him to play on Chris Ryall and gave Cole a big tick for his approach to a great learning experience. He also liked the work of Tom Dunn on the wing and ruckman Clayton Robson.
“The boys played their hearts out and it was one of the best efforts of the year, considering how undermanned we were,” said George.
While South Morang fielded probably their best team of the season against Old Eltham Collegians at Eltham College, the Turtles were forced to make nine changes due to injury and illness.
The Lions controlled the game and drew away to win impressively by 39 points. Reece Jones and Bailey Brown were solid contributors, while Tye Hall looks to be running into form in time for the finals.
“We executed out game plan and style really well in difficult conditions,” said South Morang coach Gary Hall.
Clay Crimmins has been a revelation for Old Eltham Collegians since being switched to defence recently.
“Really happy with our effort this week and we look forward to playing South Morang again in three weeks,” said Old Eltham Collegians coach Matt Sleeman.
Round 14 action gives Kilmore a chance to further strengthen its grip on fourth spot when hosting Mernda at J.J. Clancy Reserve. With the Blues two games clear of the Demons, a home win would end the finals chances of the visitors.
At first glance, Kilmore is the obvious tip, however, Mernda won their Round 7 encounter at Waterview Recreation Reserve convincingly and appear to be finishing the season well.
A win would see them trail the Blues by just one game and give the Demons a big chance to play finals. But they have a significantly harder final four weeks than Kilmore and also have a current percentage deficit of over 50.
“Every game’s a final for us now”, was the message from Mernda coach Robert Fletcher on the NFNL podcast this week.
Heidelberg West also faces a tough battle to grab fourth spot, but will be hot favourites when hosting Reservoir at Heidelberg Park. The Hawks need a percentage boosting win and a Mernda victory over the Blues to put them just one game outside the four.
Mustang fans are hoping for better news on the injury and illness front to help them be more competitive than in recent weeks. They lost to the Hawks by 178 points back in Round 7 at Crispe Park.
Old Eltham Collegians will be looking to get back on the winners list when welcoming Lalor to Eltham College. While a win seems a foregone conclusion based on 2022 results, it’s important for the Turtles to build percentage and get their best team on the park soon as they face vital match-ups in the final three rounds.
The Bloods lost to the Turtles by 195 points in Round 5 at Lalor Reserve and would be looking to better that result this time.
In what is touted as a possible grand final preview, South Morang hosts Laurimar at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. Just before the mid-season bye, the Lions had lost three in a row, and it seemed unlikely that they could catch the Power.
But Gary Hall’s team is now on a six-game winning streak and playing with confidence. A victory would see them well placed to secure the double chance and also snap a two-game losing streak against Laurimar.
With the percentage gap standing at 21, South Morang would require a margin in the order of 40 points to secure top spot. But, for both teams, it’s more about the four points this weekend.
A Power victory would further strengthen their grip on top spot and give them confidence for the finals. Laurimar is the only team that the Lions are yet to defeat this season as the Power recorded a 19-point triumph at Laurimar Reserve back in Round 6.
With both teams looking likely to go deep into the finals this year and strongly challenge for the flag, an entertaining clash is anticipated.
