Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 Preview – Round 3


Published on Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Author : Doug Long

Three teams remain undefeated in Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 heading into the third round of the 2019 season.

Round 2 action saw several of the competition’s front runners make their mark early in the season.

South Morang played its first twilight match at A.E. Cracknell Reserve to tussle with 2018 runner-up Panton Hill.

The Redbacks made a real statement in this match – with a crushing 124-point win. Panton Hill’s score of 25.16 (166) is the highest this year but is way behind their 240 against Reservoir in Round 15 last year at the same venue.

Rhys Boyden kicked six majors and was among 12 goal kickers. Star recruit Joel McLellan played his first game for the Redbacks and was named best.

“Dominant debut by Joel,” Panton Hill coach Steve Layt said. “Four quarters of clean, quality ball movement. Couldn’t be happier going into the break.”

The Redbacks have the Easter break and then the bye. They host Laurimar in a top of the table clash at 4:10pm at A.E. Cracknell Reserve in Round 4.

It was a dirty day for the Lions, but a positive was Jake Potter – who returned to the club after a year at Montmorency and was named among the best players.

Laurimar travelled to Lalor Reserve to take on Lalor. The Power pulled away with 9.5 to 1.6 after half time to record a 64-point win.

Josh Williamson and Jacson Cecil each booted five for the victors – who remain in second place on the ladder with a 2-0 record. Williamson’s haul kept him three goals clear atop the goal kicking table, with 13 majors in the opening fortnight.

New Lalor coach Gary Cutler was happy with his team getting hold of the footy enough, but the Bloods were not as effective with ball in hand.

“They were too clinical and too good,” Cutler said. He was pleased with the work of Mitch Hill as well as Ben Curtiss – who was recruited back to the club from Officer.

The closest match of the round was between Mernda and Kilmore at Waterview Recreation Reserve. Both teams were desperate to avoid a 0-2 start after losing in Round 1.

With superior running and better movement of the ball, the Blues ran out 24-point winners and moved to fourth spot on the ladder.

They appear to have more depth in 2019, with Jeremy Topham, Bailey Taylor-Egan and Shane Skidmore all impressing. Skidmore was one of three Blues to kick three goals in the victory.

Reservoir hosted Heidelberg West at Crispe Park. The Hawks kicked 7.2 to 2.1 in the third term to lead by 65 points at the last change. The Mustangs were facing the possibility of a triple-figure loss but produced their best in the final term, where both sides scored one goal.

Reservoir coach David Nelson was pleased with most things, but his team lacked polish. “We’re building the culture around the club and the boys are buying into it.” Nelson said.

He liked the game of Sam McDowell in the midfield, while recruit Donovan Stuart gave the Mustangs drive from defence.

Two-time reigning competition best and fairest Jarryd Coulson kicked a goal and was best for Heidelberg West, while Masaki Miki and Brad Moore found plenty of the football.

Round 3 action in Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 begins after the Easter break on ANZAC Day, with two matches scheduled on Thursday April 25.

Reservoir has back-to-back home matches and next takes on Lalor at Crispe Park. Both teams are in a rebuilding phase.

With both winless at present, it will be a boost for one of these teams to register its first win of 2019. The match will be a good early guide to the progress of the combatants. Lalor won both contests in 2018 – by 27 and 32 points.

Laurimar will be looking to keep its perfect record intact when hosting Mernda at Laurimar Reserve, also on ANZAC Day.

The ledger was squared at one apiece last year, with the home side winning comfortably each time. Early season form would suggest that the tipsters will strongly fancy the Power in this contest – who will be eyeing off top spot on the ladder.

On Saturday April 27 the round continues, with Old Eltham Collegians coming off the bye playing host to Kilmore at Eltham College.

This game is very hard to assess as the Turtles will have had a three-week break between games. Also, their 70-point loss to Panton Hill doesn’t look so bad now after the Redbacks beat South Morang by a triple-figure margin in Round 2.

The Blues lost to the Lions at home in Round 1 but had an impressive win over Mernda thereafter. Consecutive away wins would be a huge result for the Blues as they aim for the top-four.

Old Eltham Collegians is likely to regain skipper Tim Woods for the clash and will be keen to register its first senior win in the NFNL.

The undefeated Heidelberg West travels to Mill Park Lakes Reserve to take on South Morang. The Hawks get their first chance for a win against a 2018 finalist in the Lions.

They should go in full of confidence after starting life under Cam van Florestein with two consecutive wins, while South Morang will keen to show that the form of its first twilight game was an aberration.

Related News