WATSONIA’S unbeaten run came to an end in Round 6 as it was dismantled by a powerful South Morang side by 51 points at A.K. Lines Reserve.
After a dismal first quarter, the Lions picked up the pace after quarter-time and kicked 19 goals in the final three quarters to secure a dominant 20.13 (133) to 12.10 (82) win – its fourth successive win over the Saints.
The loss sees Watsonia slip out of top spot for the first time since Round 3 while South Morang became the new league-leader, finishing the round at the top of table ahead of Epping and the Saints.
After a scrappy beginning to the game, Watsonia was able to find the first goal of the afternoon through Jack Larkin.
South Morang was inaccurate in the first term, kicking just one goal and four behinds for the quarter. The Lions paid the price with Larkin, Nathan Groves and Andrew Kidd adding majors for the home side to extend the Saints’ lead at quarter time to 15 points.
Lions coach Craig Lambert was stressing to his team to start “moving that ball quicker inboard” and to “take every opportunity” during his quarter-time address.
South Morang looked like a new team in the second quarter. Led by Paul Harrison’s four goals, the Lions turned a 15-point deficit into a 28-point half-time lead.
Watsonia couldn’t seem to get its hands on the ball during the second term. The Lions had fantastic ball movement in all parts of the ground and the Saints were starting to get frustrated by their own low disposal efficiency.
The third quarter started with Nathan Groves kicking his third goal of the match, giving the home side a much-needed boost.
But almost immediately after, South Morang continued its dominance. The visitors kicked the next four goals, with a dominant Harrison adding two more to his tally.
The Lions weren’t done yet though. Two goals each from fellow recruits Luke Shelton and Wayne Pavitt gave Watsonia next to no chance of getting back into the game as the the teams headed into three quarter time with the Lions holding a 50-point advantage.
Watsonia coach Corey McCall asked his players to “take risks and back each other in this last quarter”.
The Saints took in some of their coach’s commandments in the last quarter, kicking three of the first four goals, including Groves’ fourth for the match.
But just when the momentum started to swing back into Watsonia’s hands, the Lions put in one final period of dominance – kicking four goals straight to put the game beyond any doubt.
South Morang put in a fantastic performance to not kick a single behind after half time, while Watsonia needs to go back to the drawing board after putting in its first poor performance in 2015.
South Morang had many great contributors in the match. Paul Harrison kicked seven majors to take his season tally to 19 goals, while David Berryman had plenty of the ball to keep his team moving forward.
Watsonia’s Nathan Groves kicked four majors to keep the Saints scoreboard ticking over, but regular goal kickers Andrew and Jeremy Bennett could only manage one goal between them, although Andrew still found plenty of the ball.
South Morang will be looking for a third-straight win when it takes on newcomer Banyule at Mill Park Lakes Reserve in Round 7. Meanwhile, Watsonia will have a chance to reassess with a bye scheduled this week ahead of big encounter with Epping in Round 8.
Final score: Watsonia 12.10 (82) def by South Morang 20.13 (133)
