Mernda kept its Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 finals hopes alive with a gritty eight-point win over Kilmore at J. J. Clancy Reserve.
The 12.4 (76) to 10.8 (68) win brings the Demons within four points of the Blues with three rounds remaining, but they have a percentage deficit of 32.38.
It means Mernda will almost definitely need to win its remaining three games – including toppling the unbeaten Laurimar – to have a chance to play finals.
The Demons flew out of the blocks and had scored 4.2 before the Blues had troubled the scorers.
An example of Mernda’s early dominance, they took the ball from deep in defence to forward 50m without an opponent touching the ball. Andrew Marino was running towards goal and kicked the ball off the ground straight through the big sticks – one of three he booted on the day. It was intelligent play as he had a defender hot on his hammer.
Kilmore steadied late in the term with a goal courtesy of Thomas McMillan. The Blues dominated for several minutes but were only to kick 1.3 in that time and trailed by 17 points at quarter time.
The Demons had a sure fire winner up forward in Matthew Campbell. He booted the first major in the second term, but then Kilmore dominated the term – with two goals to Luke Chapman and another to Shane Skidmore.
The Blues had reduced the deficit to four points at the main break and most of the locals would’ve expected them to go on with the job.
Indeed, Kilmore hit the front early in the third term through Marcus Webb. But a pattern that was prevalent throughout the contest was the ability of Mernda to respond when challenged.
The Demons regained the lead through Campbell soon after and booted four goals to three for the term to take a handy eight-point lead into the last change.
Kilmore coach Nathan Phillips implored his team to lift their work rate, not to blaze away and to make the most of their opportunities.
Early in the final stanza, best on ground Campbell took a strong contested mark for the Demons and registered his fourth goal.
Kilmore had two players up forward who ran hot late in the game. Jeremy Topham was a livewire across half forward and soon brought the margin back to the three quarter time deficit with a set shot goal.
But majors to Tyson Sparkes and the impressive Brenden Egberts blew the margin out to 20 points for Mernda.
Kilmore’s other forward who lifted late was Jaxson Kinnear. He booted two quick goals to take his tally to three for the day and the game was alive with several minutes left on the clock.
The Demons toughed it out late in the game – with the Blues only able to add a behind – and came away with a meritorious win.
“Our best four quarter performance all year and we deserved the win,” Mernda coach Paul Derrick.
After so many off season personnel changes for the Demons it has been a good effort to be still in the hunt at this stage of the competition, especially after beginning the season with three losses.
The Demon defence – led by Michael Aparo and Christian Cawsey – were resolute all day and held firm when it counted. Up forward, Matthew Dean chipped in with two goals.
James Duclos dominated the ruck for Mernda against a smaller opponent in Grant Paxton. Paxton worked hard around the ground, however, and help set up several forward moves.
“We need to get back to putting together a four-quarter performance,” Kilmore coach Nathan Phillips said. “We have to refocus for Heidelberg West next week.”
Phillips would have been disappointed that two Mernda shots for goal became lay down miseres when his team gave away 50-metre penalties.
Chris Ryall and Leigh Irons got plenty of it through the midfield for the Blues, while Matthew Swindells was a handy link man across half forward.
Mernda hosts Lalor at Waterview Recreation Reserve in Round 16 in a must-win game as it aims for an unlikely finals appearance – which would be its first since 2014.
Kilmore hosts Heidelberg West at J. J. Clancy Reserve and a win would go close to confirming their first ever finals appearance in the NFNL.
Final score: Kilmore 10.8 (68) def by Mernda 12.4 (76)
