The Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 home and away season has now ended and an interesting finals series looms.
For those missing finals action, there were positives to take from the season.
Mernda finished the year as it started, with back-to-back wins, hosting Laurimar at Waterview Recreation Reserve and winning by 46 points. Captain Daniel Bryant finished with three majors and was the Demons’ best.
“It was good to finish on a positive,” Mernda coach Steve Power said. “We now look forward to next year.”
Laurimar’s two best were under-17 players Bryce Kotas and Jake Richards.
“We had to start in the NFL this year to make a pathway for our juniors,” Power coach Wayne Sharkie said. “They have the potential to take our club a long way.”
Banyule tuned up for the finals with an easy 130-point win over Heidelberg West at R.J. Brockwell Oval. James Kroussoratis’ eight goals took him to 74 for the year.
It was a disappointing loss for the Hawks, but they managed seven wins in 2017 after years as cellar-dwellers in the division. Kane Moore was among their best on the day.
Kilmore climbed into fifth place with a 59-point win over Reservoir at J.J. Clancy Reserve. Dan Matthew was among the best and finished the season in style. Mustangs Kent Beaumont and David McGregor each booted four majors.
The Blues finished the season with eight wins after only managing two victories in their inaugural season.
St Mary’s played South Morang at Mill Park Lakes Reserve in the match of the day. The Lions won by four points in a see-sawing thriller.
James Mellerick kicked the winner to cap off a great performance. Improving Brandon Jones was among the best for the Burra.
The first week of the finals will be played at the Whittlesea Showgrounds on Saturday and Sunday.
Based on St Mary’s recent form line, fans are in for an exciting climax to the season. The Burra defeated Epping by a point in Round 12, lost to Banyule by two points in Round 14 and ended the season with a four-point loss to South Morang.
Watch for team changes as all four sides have had some recent injuries, as well as resting key players in recent weeks.
The Saturday clash sees South Morang play Banyule in the second semi final. Courtesy of finishing first and second, the winner takes the short cut to the grand final.
The ledger stands at one-all in clashes between these teams in 2017. The Bears pulled away after the Round 5 game at R.J. Brockwell Oval was all tied up at half time to record a 34-point win.
The Lions exacted revenge with a runaway 51-point at Mill Park Lakes Reserve in Round 13 after leading by less than a kick at the main break.
Jake Potter did well on James Kroussoratis in that game and the match-up is likely to be repeated on the weekend.
Banyule now has James Allery and Michael Edwards in its line-up. Neither played in the Round 13 loss.
South Morang is the more settled side in recent weeks – with 13 players playing all of the past five games. Banyule can only boast eight in this period.
The Lions deserve to start favourites on the back of their form in the latter part of the season, entering the finals series with 12-straight wins. Momentum has been a good predictor of the premier in recent years.
The loser of this game will face a tough test – as both first semi finals teams are in exceptional form.
St Mary’s went within a kick of claiming third spot on the table against South Morang, but it had no impact on the finals shape. It plays Epping in the Sunday fixture.
St Mary’s had the Round 17 bye, while the Blues sat out the final round – no doubt keeping a close eye on the Burra’s match against the Lions.
Epping has been very impressive since the Queen’s Birthday break – going undefeated except for the one-point loss to the Burra. During this period it was also the first side to defeat Banyule.
Youngsters such as Corey Middleton and Jake Perry have finished the year well and added to the Blues’ depth.
St Mary’s has been building since its Round 13 loss to Kilmore when Daniel Dober was missing. Dillan Ronalds will be a key player, while Daniel Castagnini and James Boarotto have had great seasons.
Tipsters will find this one a challenge. The Blues have won three of the last four clashes between these teams, but each margin has been less than a goal.
