South Morang maintained its unbeaten season with a 16-point win over Heidelberg West in an entertaining game at Heidelberg Park in Round 7 of Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3.
The 14.6 (90) to 12.4 (76) triumph gives the Lions a two-game and percentage buffer at the top of the ladder, while the Hawks dropped from second to fourth, behind Laurimar and Kilmore on percentage.
South Morang won the game by doing better when they controlled the contest. After conceding the first major, the Lions booted five in quick time to establish a handy early lead.
Heidelberg West then had its time to control the game. The Hawks kicked five unanswered goals either side of quarter time and a Brad Moore goal on the half time siren put his side six points ahead.
Alex Hywood slotted four goals for Heidelberg West and his fourth goal came early in the third term to give the Hawks a two-goal break.
From then on, the league leaders lifted. Josh Lansfield was another to kick four goals. He scored three of them in the third quarter as the Lions wrestled back control.
Tye Hall was influential on the day and when he kicked his third major just before three quarter time, the Lions had a 14-point lead.
Heidelberg West’s coach Michael Missen instructed his team to be smart with their ball use in order to overrun South Morang.
Masaki Miki kicked his second goal for the game early in the final term to reduce the deficit to eight points and a come-from-behind win looked a possibility.
But Ben Peterson booted his fourth for the Lions midway through the term. Then James Hewson kicked truly to establish a 22-point lead.
A Jack Marris goal after the siren was only in consolation for the Hawks, as South Morang prevailed.
In the end, the difference was that the Lions were slightly more precise with their forward 50m entries than the Hawks.
“It was our best win for the year considering we had a couple of experienced players out,” South Morang coach Gary Hall said.
Indeed, the Lions fielded their most inexperienced line-up for the year after both Matthew Trim and Jake Potter were late withdrawals.
Hall was pleased with captain Mathew Robinson – who took numerous intercept marks and marshalled the defence. Hall also noted that Noah Dalmau had done well following Masaki Miki. And while Miki still got enough of the ball, he was often under pressure in doing so.
Heidelberg West coach Michael Missen left the game knowing that they are within striking distance of the league leaders.
“We take confidence that our best footy can match it with the best,” Missen said.
Missen praised the around the ground work of three-time league best and fairest Jarryd Coulson, while also being pleased forward Alex Hywood was able to play his best game for the year.
The Hawks lost Luke McKenna early with a leg injury and had to deal with numerous sore players throughout the contest.
Next up, Heidelberg West travels to Waterview Recreation Reserve to take on Mernda, who got back on the winners’ list in Round 7 with a win over Reservoir.
South Morang hosts Old Eltham Collegians at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. Their only other meeting at this ground resulted in a thrilling draw back in 2019.
Final score: Heidelberg West 12.2 (74) def by South Morang 14.6 (90)
HEIDELBERG WEST
Goal Kickers: A. Hywood 4, B. Moore 2, M. Miki 2, H. Mozdzierz 2, J. Marris, R. Gall
Best Players: J. Coulson, A. Hywood, M. Miki, A. Purtell, K. Moore, B. Moore
SOUTH MORANG
Goal Kickers: B. Peterson 4, J. Lansfield 4, T. Hall 3, L. Failla, J. Hewson, C. Failla
Best Players: M. Robinson, L. Failla, N. Dalmau, T. Hall, J. Lansfield, B. Muscat
