Teams will get a chance to move up the ladder in round 2 action of Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 football prior to the Easter break.
While there was only one close game in the round 1 matches, the matchups in round 2 look likely to provide tighter contests.
With no premiers decided in 2020 and 2021, it is likely that there are two teams in Division 3 which deserve to have been promoted. The 2022 practice match form bears out this observation. The class and skill of the top teams in Division 3 makes life tougher for those at the bottom of the ladder as they, in a sense, should be playing teams that would have been demoted from division 2 had the previous two seasons been played out fully.
The ladder pattern at the completion of round 2 has been decided before the bounce of the ball. Barring a draw, there will be two undefeated teams, two winless sides and four teams in the middle with one win from two games. This outcome has been determined by the fact that the four winners from round 1 play off as well as the four losers.
Traditional rivals Mernda and South Morang met at Waterview Recreation Reserve to kick off the season. The Lions established a 17-point lead at quarter time and controlled the game thereafter to record a 58-point victory. Bailey Brown was a stand-out in his return to the club after playing division 1 football at Montmorency. Mitch Dickson returned to action after a bad hamstring injury in 2021 limited his season to two appearances.
“The boys are really hungry and the disappointment of last year will spur them on”, said coach Gary Hall. The Lions sat atop the ladder and were flag favourites in the eyes of most pundits when the 2021 season ended prematurely.
Ryan Bongetti came to the Demons from Craigieburn and impressed as one of four goal-kickers. Teenager Kai Turner looks to have a regular spot in the Mernda team. He was named best after playing only a handful of senior games last season.
The tussle between Old Eltham Collegians and Kilmore at Eltham College proved to be the closest of the round. In a seesawing encounter, the Turtles started well each quarter and then the Blues set about trying to reel them in.
At times, Kilmore looked to be losing their grip on the game but finished with a wet sail to claim a 10-point win. This helped atoned for their after-the-siren loss at the same venue last year.
Laurimar hosted Reservoir at Laurimar Reserve and drew away in the second half for a 157-point triumph. In his senior debut for the club, small forward Joshua Campbell kicked five goals as did the experienced Jacson Cecil.
Nathan Andrews was recruited from Whittlesea and slotted in seamlessly. The ever-reliable Mitch Thompson and Luke Wilson carried on their good form of recent years.
“Our leaders really stood up today”, said coach Jimmy Atkins.
The Mustangs lacked the skills and physical maturity of the Power, but there were some plusses. Jack Smith was outstanding and looks set for another good season. Debutantes James Voros and John Abouhaila both showed promise.
“The effort was strong; they boys didn’t give up and learned a lot from the day”, said coach Justin George.
Heidelberg West recorded the biggest win for the day with a 205-point win over Lalor at Heidelberg Park.
Few would’ve expected Jonah Taylor, recruited from Reservoir, to be selected in the senior team immediately. However, he impressed in the pre-season and then kicked seven goals in his debut for the Hawks. Alex Hywood booted five majors, while Montmorency recruit Nicholas Paton joined in the party with five as well.
“Our easily identifiable game style with seven new faces was a positive”, said coach Michael Missen.
The Bloods struggled after an off-season which saw several experienced players exit the club. Dylan Cawsey, recruited from Manningham Cobras, acquitted himself well on debut and was the sole goal-kicker for the team. Jake Langborne was best for Lalor.
“We are looking for the team to compete for longer”, said coach Angelo Lamanna.
Kilmore hosts Laurimar at J.J. Clancy Reserve in what appeals as an enthralling match-up in round 2 action. The Power hasn’t played at Kilmore since winning by 34-points in round 13, 2019.
The only encounter between these teams in 2021 resulted in a 4-point victory to Laurimar at Laurimar Reserve in round 1 in which Jacson Cecil booted four majors. If that result is anything to go by, a thriller is a distinct possibility. A top two spot is the prize for the victor.
The other match-up of round 1 winners sees Heidelberg West travel to Mill Park Lakes Reserve to take on South Morang. It’s difficult to line these teams up based on the performances of the previous round. The Hawks had a massive win, but their opponents are rebuilding.
Meanwhile the highly rated Lions had a comfortable win over Mernda. Given that the Demons were just one spot on the ladder behind Heidelberg West last year and that the Hawks have seen triple league best and fairest Jarryd Coulson depart as well as Masaki Miki, it’s hard to make a case for the visitors.
But the Hawks have some handy inclusions this season which includes Lachlan Evans and Louis Hill from Lalor, so they may be well placed to be highly competitive in this game.
Mernda plays host to Old Eltham Collegians at Waterview Recreation Reserve and both teams will be keen to open their account prior to the Easter break.
The Demons were well beaten in the opening round. But this week they return to the home ground and meet an opponent similarly placed on the ladder in recent seasons. So, their fans will see this as a genuine opportunity for a win.
The Turtles will be desperate to atone for the fade-out against Kilmore to begin the season. Having finished 2021 in fourth place when the season was called off, their fans will be expecting finals this season and an away win over Mernda would propel them in the right direction.
After each team was soundly beaten in the first round, the good news for Lalor and Reservoir is that one of them will have a win in round 2 when they meet at Lalor Reserve.
The Mustangs have been winless since round 15 of 2017 when they defeated Laurimar at Crispe Park. The Bloods have not beaten anyone bar Reservoir in recent years despite going close on a few occasions.
Based on the above information, Lalor would be expected to be favoured on their home deck. However, with significant turnover of players in the off-season, it may be a difficult one to predict.
One thing for certain is that the victor will celebrate the win with joy.
