RESERVOIR withstood a determined challenge from South Morang to record a strong win in very heavy conditions at Mill Park Lakes Reserve in Round 15 of Division 3.
After trailing by 16 points at half time, the Mustangs constantly had the ball in the second half. It took until early in the final term before they finally hit the lead, before winning 10.14 (74) to 7.9 (51).
But the game was won in the third term. Reservoir was out-pressured early in the match, but reversed this trend immediately after the main break.
Once it drew within a goal just before the last change, it always looked likely to overrun the Lion. In the end, the Mustangs won like a top two team in an entertaining contest.
“It was a really hard fought win,” Reservoir coach Ross Terranova said.
“We showed character after trailing for most of the day. We were never out of the contest, just behind on the scoreboard. Our leaders stepped up and took the game on.”
Nick Johnston had booted two goals in the first half for South Morang, as well as being instrumental in other forward forays. His influence was quelled in the second half when Terranova moved Adam Meroli onto him.
While the Lions’ Jake Potter – in his team’s best for five weeks running – kept Ashley Flavel goalless, Toby O’Meara came to the fore with four goals for Reservoir. His second term was outstanding, with two goals, creative handballs and a great smother.
Down back, Ben Mowlam did well to quell the dangerous Harry Whybrow, who had scored four goals for South Morang in each of the past two matches.
Mustang Daniel Couwenberg had an interesting duel with Matthew Campbell on the wing. Both had given their team plenty of drive, but Couwenberg got right on top in the third term.
South Morang coach Craig Lambert moved Luke Hough onto Couwenberg late in the game, but Couwenberg continued to dominate.
“It was a great start,” said Lambert. “But we just weren’t good enough for long enough.”
He was pleased with the work of Mitchell Buckley and noted that Nathan Moro – who returned to his early season form – often gave them first use of the ball.
The Lions had chances to be further in front early in a game which gave them a chance to beat one of the top two teams for the first time this year. Their tackling and harassing early was exceptional.
Their best passage of play saw them move the ball smoothly from half back. Luke Hough was running towards goal 40 metres out and appeared likely to have a ping, but instead gave a long handball to John Klaromenos for the easiest of goals.
But the young Lions ran out of puff, kicking 1.2 to Reservoir’s 6.11 after half time and failing to score in the final term.
The bigger bodies of Reservoir – such as Michael Mannix – took over and the Lions became less able to find players in space late in the game, unlike the first half.
While Reservoir was clearly the better team on the day, South Morang demonstrated that it is a worthy finalist.
Other results mean that the Lions now have third spot on the ladder virtually locked away, despite the loss. They will be able to rest their sore bodies and then prepare to host fifth-placed Heidelberg West next week.
The Mustangs look forward to a trip to Main Street Reserve to take on ladder-leader Thomastown in a much anticipated match-up. Many pundits will see this contest as a grand final preview.
Final score: South Morang 7.9 (51) def by Reservoir 10.14 (74)
