A look ahead to Round 15 in Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3.
The top-four appears done and dusted after Round 14 action, despite four rounds still remaining. Unbeaten Laurimar should stay on top, with Panton Hill three wins adrift, but with a game in hand in second.
Two games and a big chunk of percentage back is Kilmore, while South Morang is a further game and a half behind in fourth. Given the Blues have a game in hand on the Lions, they look safe in third and, as such, will play in their first ever NFNL finals series despite losing to the Lions on the weekend.
Fifth-placed Heidelberg West now sits six points behind the Lions. Mernda is level with the Hawks, but with a game in hand on both Heidelberg West and South Morang. While it is mathematically possible for changes to occur in the current top-four, it is highly unlikely.
Old Eltham Collegians stays seventh, while Lalor all but ensured it will avoid the wooden spoon – going two games clear of Reservoir following the weekend’s win at Lalor Reserve.
South Morang notched a crucial 17-point win over Kilmore at Mill Park Lakes Reserve in Round 14. The Lions sealed the deal with a great start to the game. They trailed by a point at quarter time into a strong breeze, then took full toll with the wind to lead by 32 points at the main break.
The Blues played a great third term to lead by 10 points at the last change, but it was going to be tough for them to defend that lead and South Morang booted four goals to nil in the final stanza. The Lions managed two goals into the wind with their run and carry, while Kilmore didn’t score one. That was about the difference in the end.
“That first half was the best we played all year,” South Morang coach Gary Hall said.
Hall was also pleased to have James Hewson back in top form. Hewson booted two goals to support Alex Colaidis with three, while Tye Hall chipped in with a major and was best on the ground.
Leigh Irons was prolific through the midfield for Kilmore. Ben Cooney almost single-handedly gave his team a sniff with four goals himself in the third term, while Grant Paxton again contributed well.
“Credit to South Morang, they were cleaner with the ball,” Kilmore coach Nathan Phillips said. “You can’t play half a game of footy and win.”
Both Kilmore and South Morang benefited from Laurimar’s efforts on the day. The Power led at every change to hold off a determined Heidelberg West at Heidelberg Park. It was the Power’s first win at the venue in their short history.
“Without seven of our players it was a good team effort,” Laurimar coach Justin Sherman said. “I thought it was a tough, hard contest, but in the clinches when it mattered most out group stood up. It was a real credit to our group and how far they’ve come.”
Josh Leather has hit a purple patch of form and was named best for the Power. The goals were shared around with Sherman booting two, along with Jacson Cecil, Luke Wilson and Dallas King.
Laurimar now goes to the bye well placed before a big Round 16 encounter against Panton Hill awaits at Laurimar Reserve.
Heidelberg West was close enough all day but couldn’t find that little extra to get itself over the line.
Hawks coach Cam van Florestein praised the work of Stefan Condello and Brodie Muir down back, while Ben Rawson and Dan Offer did well through the midfield and forward.
“Our guys fought it out all day and pushed Laurimar,” van Florestein said. “We played really well and had a huge effort all day.”
Panton Hill strengthened its grip on second position with a comfortable win over Old Eltham Collegians. The game was over early as the Redbacks booted 7.3 to 0.1 in the first term. The Turtles were much more competitive thereafter, losing the final three terms by just 23 points.
“We took on a side in the Turtles who have troubled a few of the better sides, so we needed to be on our guard and get off to a strong start – which we did emphatically,” Panton Hill coach Steve Layt said.
“Once again out midfield led the way and set the standard all day. We still have some further improvement to come, which is positive.”
Joel McLellan returned to the team and, along with Nick Parks, gave Panton Hill’s midfielders first use of the ball. Rhys Boyden booted five goals and was ably assisted by Alek Tsardakis, Matthew Byron and Scott Conte – each of whom kicked three.
Kieran Malone continues to kick goals for Old Eltham Collegians – this week scoring four. Fraser Cloney was named best after also performing well the previous week in the win over Heidelberg West.
Lalor hosted Reservoir at Lalor Reserve and broke a long run of outs with a 31-point win. Using the home ground conditions better, the Bloods led for the vast majority of the match and showed enough poise under pressure to keep the Mustangs at bay.
Daniel Moore booted three for Lalor upon his return to the team. Tim Murphy and Dean Thomas each chipped in with two.
Reservoir improved markedly from the last time these teams met in Round 3 at Crispe Park when the deficit was 67 points. This time, they were in the game late, but inaccurate kicking at goal thwarted their attempts to overrun the Bloods.
Shane Potter booted two majors for the Mustangs, while Daniel Sebeh excelled through the midfield.
Round 15 action sees the return on Mernda from the bye and the Demons travel to J.J. Clancy Reserve to take on Kilmore.
The plan for Mernda is simple – win every game and hope for some luck with other games. It will be a tough task to beat the Blues at their home ground, however.
Kilmore won the earlier match in Round 2 at Waterview Recreation Reserve by 24 points. The Blues will be favoured but need to return to form after dropping both games since their bye – to Laurimar at home and then South Morang away.
Lalor has back-to-back home games at Lalor Reserve when hosting Old Eltham Collegians.
The Bloods will have been boosted by winning their second game last weekend and will see this as a chance to bank consecutive victories for the first time in Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3.
The Turtles’ record since the bye is 2-2, with wins over Reservoir and Heidelberg West and losses to the top-two teams. They would be keen to finish off the season well. Even though this game will not affect the finals, it will be played with a lot of spirit.
Heidelberg West hosts Panton Hill at Heidelberg Park.
After winning their opening five games of the season, the Hawks have only the tiniest chance of playing finals now – needing to win all their games and hoping for other results to go their way.
The first part of the equation is the most difficult for them – beating a Redbacks team that is building nicely towards finals.
The Hawks went to A.E. Cracknell Reserve in Round 7 with a perfect record but were beaten by Panton Hill to the tune of 85 points when Matthew Byron and Rhys Boyden combined for 13 goals.
The Hawks never really recovered from the loss – which was the first of five in a row. Even if finals don’t eventuate, it would be sweet revenge if they were able to pull off a huge upset.
With finals looming and a top of the table clash against Laurimar at Laurimar Reserve coming up in Round 16, the Redbacks would be looking to carry some positive momentum into that game – which many see as a grand final preview.
South Morang travels to Crispe Park to play Reservoir.
A win for the Lions would almost certainly lock away fourth spot. This would be a good outcome for them after beginning the season scratchily and dealing with injuries along the way.
The Mustangs will be hoping for a scalp as the season winds up – and were competitive enough last week to give them confidence that they could pull off a massive upset.
