South Morang progressed to the Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 grand final with a hard-fought preliminary final win over Laurimar at the Whittlesea Showgrounds.
A spot in the big one looked extremely unlikely early in the season for the Lions. They had a win and a draw against then winless Old Eltham Collegians from their first four games – which included a 124-point loss the Panton Hill at A.E. Cracknell Reserve.
But South Morang’s season gradually got back on track and they were able to get through the latter part of the season relatively unscathed – eventually sealing fourth spot in the final round with an impressive win over Laurimar at Mill Park Lakes Reserve.
The 12.15 (87) to 11.11 (77) preliminary final win was set up in the first term when the Lions kicked against the breeze but led narrowly at the first break.
Harry Whybrow is retiring at the end of the year and won praise at the quarter time huddle for his ruck work and second efforts.
From then on the Lions seemed to be in control of the contest, but were not able to land the killer blow until the dying minutes. And that killer blow was not a crunch goal, but a display of tempo football.
Close finishes are nothing new for the Lions in preliminary finals. They have contested every one of them since 2014 and the biggest margin in the games from 2015 onwards was 12-points – a loss to eventual premiers Watsonia in 2016.
Despite the breeze favouring the Yea Road or Southern end of the ground, 10 of the 23 majors were kicked at the other end, so it made for an enjoyable spectacle.
With Mitch Golby missing from the Power’s line-up, coach Justin Sherman played closer to goal than usual and was the most dangerous forward on the ground.
Sherman had three goals by quarter time and had a hand in others as well throughout the day. His second goal was a high snap which appeared off line at first but sailed through with the aid of the breeze.
His team was looking for more from him as the final stanza began – with South Morang a goal up and coming home with the wind.
From the first bounce, the Lions went forward and Nathan Bell’s long kick was marked in the goal square by Luke Shelton. Shelton duly converted and it appeared that a big win was on the cards. Shelton played more forward in the game, while small forward Alex Colaidis impressed – but as an on-baller.
Laurimar was able to answer Shelton’s goal immediately after Samuel House found Sherman with a pass. Sherman slotted the goal from a difficult angle for his fourth.
The Lions missed an easy chance to level the scores soon after. The final 25 minutes of the contest became a hard slog – with not a single major being registered and both teams blowing chances from set shots.
Jacson Cecil was a handy forward target and scored two goals. He was about to drive his team deep into attack, but lost his chance when a team mate gave away a free and the kick was reversed.
South Morang players were able to wind down the clock with precise short kicks late in the game. In the end, it was kicking efficiency that was the difference between the sides. The Power kicks inside 50 were too often high and not to the advantage of their forwards.
Mitch Kalpakis – the Lions’ best in both finals to date – was able to take numerous unopposed intercept marks in defence. His compatriot Liam Failla did a lot of mopping up work and used the ball well.
“Not bad for a bunch of blokes when half of them have played 30 games or less,” a proud South Morang coach Gary Hall said. “If we keep knocking on the door long enough, we can win one.”
Hall was pleased with the work of Bell who, like Kalpakis, is an under-19 listed player. Bell played his first senior game in Round 5 and has been exceptional in his two finals appearances.
Jake Potter was the best forward for the Lions with two goals and some critical contested marks. Tye Hall played mid and also drifted forward to score three goals.
Laurimar looked certain to be grand finalists for most of the season. But the team’s momentum was halted by player unavailability late in the season. Despite this hurdle to overcome, they went very close in both finals appearances.
“We rushed ourselves at times and lost the crunch moments,” Laurimar coach Justin Sherman said. Sherman could not fault the effort of his team and, while extremely disappointed to lose, was pleased that his team took another step in 2019.
He liked the work of his on-ballers – with Jackson Lewis and Ethan Frawley being named among the best.
Jacob Lawson booted a brilliant goal in the first term. A South Morang kick-out was turned over late in the first term. The ball was delivered to Lawson in space on the boundary line and he slotted it to, at that stage, regain the lead.
Under-19s listed player Campbell Walker kicked a goal and looks to be a player to watch in 2020. With good junior talent coming through, Power fans should look forward to the next season with some confidence.
The bounce of the ball can cruel teams at times. Kieran Sheehan had a long set shot for goal in the third term for Laurimar. The ball cleared the pack, bounced right on the goal line and then back into play – only to be rushed through for a behind. This ball would’ve bounced through for a goal 99 times out of 100, but it wasn’t to be this time.
South Morang will play Panton Hill at the same venue in the grand final next Saturday – with a big crowd expected to see which team progresses to Division 2 in 2020.
Earlier in the day, Old Eltham Collegians won their way to the grand final match-up with Heidelberg West with a 46-point win Kilmore. This was a great result for the Turtles in their first year in the NFNL.
Final score: Laurimar 11.11 (77) def by South Morang 12.15 (87)
