Laurimar have won their way through to their second consecutive Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 Grand Final after some final term heroics from Noah Mooney helped his side prevail by 11 points in an entertaining second semi-final against Mernda at the Whittlesea Showgrounds.
The Demons kicked four majors in the final term to hit the front approaching time on before Mooney took back to back contested marks close to goal, nailing both set shots, with the second being on the full time siren to seal a 11.9 (75) to 9.10 (64) for the Power.
“If we rock up and play out brand of footy, we always believe we can win,” Mooney said after the game.
The Power has now won second semi-finals in consecutive years as they seek entry into Division 2. The game was fantastic from a spectator viewpoint, with both sets of fans going through highs and lows as their fortunes fluctuated.
“Really proud of the way we fought the game out,” Laurimar coach Jimmy Atkins said.
“It was gutsy and the players stood up when they needed to.”
As well as liking the work of Mooney, who finished with four majors for the afternoon, Atkins also had praise for the work of Aidan Clarke, who competed hard in the ruck against Billy Morrison and did some nice things around the ground.
At one stage, he took a good defensive mark and looked to go down the line. Seeing nothing great on offer, he executed a dummy and was able to pinpoint a pass to a teammate in the centre of the ground.
Ethan Bateman usually plays as an intercept marker at half back, but Atkins switched things up throughout the afternoon. He drifted forward, received a handball and booted the first goal of the contest, before he was moved deep in defence to play on the dangerous Bryce Kimuliatis in the second half.
With Bateman moving further back, Cameron Maloney took over at half back and excelled in quelling the Demons offensive moves, all while making good decisions with ball in hand.
Rylan Herrick was the top small defender for the Power, while Jacob Lawson performed admirably on the wing, meanwhile Matthew Gersh and Mitch Thompson were useful through the midfield, and both hit the scoreboard.
Laurimar held the lead from midway through the first term and twice sent the lead out over 20-points. But each time they looked likely to blow the game open, Mernda were able to dig deep.
After dominating the first half of the second term, the Power led by 22-points.
The Demons then lifted a gear, with Kimuliatis marking and converting from close range. Later, Zachary Racovolis won a free and goaled on the half time siren, to leave his side just nine points down at the main break but with some momentum.
Laurimar strengthened their grip on the game in the third quarter with the first two majors and were looking the goods to go on with the job.
Mernda’s Lachlan Taylor was in the spotlight during the term, highlighted by kicking the major that gave his side a much-needed spark in the quarter.
Kaidyn Arthur swooped on an errant disposal to goal for Laurimar in response and his team went to the final break with a handy 22-point buffer. Although the Power looked almost over the line, coach Atkins reminded his team that this finals series is about redemption.
A highly animated Robert Fletcher urged his team to take the game on and stressed that there were not enough players fighting hard.
Mernda fans were looking for someone to give them hope in the final term and they didn’t have to wait long, as Michael Evans was thrown into the centre and had the ball on a string, kicking a goal and driving the ball deep into attack several times. Jayden Bell then goaled after a free, before Chris Roussos found Kimuliatis at point blank range for another.
When Daniel Smith found the big sticks at the 17-minute mark of the last quarter, they had booted four in a row to draw level, before a Joel Harris behind saw them lead for the first time since early in the game, with was originally an unlikely comeback now looking like a real chance.
But Noah Mooney saved the day for the Power, launching to take two impressive, contested marks in time on to send Laurimar into the decider.
“I was disappointed with the loss, but happy with the way we played,”, Fletcher said.
He gave a big tick to Nathan Baccega in defence, while also praising midfielder Joel Harris. Harris got plenty of the ball himself and also kept a close eye on Luke Wilson, limiting his impact around the ground.
Riley Edwards played through the midfield with energy and purpose, while Dayne Kellett and Jesse Guelfo were productive in defence.
Kimuliatis was the most dangerous forward for Mernda with four majors and finishing with at least six shots on goal.
