South Morang have made it seven consecutive wins in the Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 competition, after prevailing by 23 points over Laurimar in an entertaining top of the table clash.
In incredibly windy conditions at Mill Park Lakes Reserve, it was the Lions’ ability to produce scores against the breeze that ultimately set up the 11.16 (82) to 9.5 (59) triumph.
The result means the race for the minor premiership remains as tight as ever, as both sides sit on 44 points in the top two. The Power have a better percentage but with these sides set to face each other again in three weeks, Saturday’s result could be telling in how the top four looks.
Playing in his natural position, Mitchell Kalpakis was enormous in defence for the Lions, with his intercept marking and ability to read the ball in difficult conditions allowing his side to keep the play in their attacking half.
Equal Coaches MVP leader Bailey Brown was again superb, with fellow midfield teammate Tye Hall getting back to his best footy in just his third game of the season.
Alisdair Jackson was impressive in defence for the Power with Ethan Frawley and Nathan Andrews also producing strong efforts for the visitors.
Lions skipper Mathew Robinson won the toss and chose to kick against the wind but despite the early disadvantage, the home side kicked the first major of the match thanks to Alex Colaidis.
The Power then kicked three of the next four goals to ensure they took the lead heading into quarter time as the wind continued to intensify.
Continuing their momentum from the first term, Jacob Lawson kicked truly to extend the visitors’ margin to 12 points just two minutes in. But it would prove to be their last goal for over a quarter as the Lions piled on three majors to take full of control of the contest and head into half time 14-point leaders.
With the wind continuing to settle in as the second half commenced, both sides tried to use the breeze to their gain.
South Morang kicked the all important first goal of the third term, thanks to a clever effort from Rohan Buzzini, which extended the margin to 18 points.
With their wind advantage running out, Laurimar stepped up the pace to ensure they were within in arm’s reach at three quarter time, as two long range goals from Luke Wilson cut the deficit to five points heading into the final term.
The Power’s efforts to produce a brilliant last quarter quickly vanished just 30 seconds in when James Hewson kicked a great running goal to take all the momentum away from the visitors.
That goal was soon followed by two consecutive majors from both Tye and Kain Hall to put the game beyond doubt and secure win number 11 for the 2022 season.
