A look ahead at Round 16 in Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3.
Reservoir fans had to wait until Round 15 of Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 to see their team record its first win for the season.
But the victory – by 24 points over Laurimar at Crispe Park – sent the home crowd into raptures in the Mustangs’ first win since the 2015 grand final. Kent Beaumont booted three majors and David McGregor two as the home team ran away from the Power.
The round also virtually locked away the games for the first week of finals a month out.
Fourth-placed Epping avenged its Round 7 loss to Heidelberg West, romping in against a disappointing and undermanned Hawks side at Heidelberg Park.
Aaron Willitts booted seven goals in the windy conditions. Alec Buchan will be vital to the finals hopes of the Blues. He slotted three majors in an encouraging display, while youngster Jake Perry continues to impress.
Kyl Ewart kicked five of six goals for the home team. Finals now look out of reach for the Hawks, but the seven wins to date is a vast improvement on recent years.
Banyule sewed up the double chance in a thrilling two-point win over St Mary’s at R.J. Brockwell Oval. The Bears appeared to be headed for a huge win, with a 43-point lead at the last break. But the Burra stormed home with the wind to just fall short.
“We are getting to the point where we have to ask if the players really care about close losses in must-win games,” St Mary’s coach Con Borg said.
The Burra remains third, just ahead of Epping on percentage. The big positive for Borg was the form of Nick Dean – playing ruck and forward.
Banyule sealed the double chance with the win, but was fortunate to get through after a poor last term. The win was set up with a strong second quarter into the strong wind. Scott Gumbleton took numerous intercept marks at half back, while Kieran Malone was best afield.
“Three of our best quarters for the year, followed by one of our worst,” Banyule coach Pete Davey said after the siren.
South Morang tuned up for the finals with a 69-point win over Mernda at Mill Park Lakes Reserve.
The Demons had no answer for the Lions’ potent forward line. Alex Colaidis booted six for the victors, with Bojan Marinkovic and James Hewson both scoring three majors in promising displays.
Matthew Golledge impressed in his return to Mernda line-up. His team mate and ex-Lion Matthew Campbell continued his recent good run of form.
Round 16 action of Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 action appears to be straight-forward for tipsters. However, favourites have regularly been beaten this season.
The final four looks set now but some extremely unlikely results could result in Kilmore or Heidelberg West sneaking in.
If the Hawks win all three remaining games – against the top-three teams – and either St Mary’s or Epping lose both their remaining games, then the Hawks would play finals.
Kilmore would similarly need a triplet of wins to finish the season – with two games against top-four sides – and require either St Mary’s or Epping lose both their remaining games, plus the Hawks to lose at least one match.
Kilmore’s monumental task begins with a home game at J.J. Clancy Reserve against the seemingly unstoppable South Morang.
While the Lions could afford to drop this game and still hold on to first place, they will be highly fancied to extend their winning streak to ten against the Blues.
Kilmore did manage an upset win over St Mary’s in its last home game and this may provide some spark as it attempts to secure its first ever win over South Morang.
Heidelberg West travels to Whatmough Park to tackle St Mary’s in a must-win game if the Hawks are to keep their ever so slim finals hopes alive.
The Burra would be keen to atone for their close loss to Banyule and would be highly favoured to win this one and totally secure a finals spot as they go into their upcoming bye.
Reservoir heads to Epping Recreation Reserve to take on the in-form Epping outfit.
Despite the Mustangs gaining great confidence from their breakthrough win, the Blues will be the raging favourites as they build momentum for a finals tilt.
Mernda hosts Banyule at Waterview Recreation Reserve and the Bears will be hot favourites to win this one, after scoring a 142-point win in the pair’s last outing.
The Demons may have one eye on the Round 17 clash against Reservoir as they attempt to snap a long losing streak.
