Round 2 of Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 football gave the fans two tight tussles and some big wins.
Watsonia travelled to Crispe Park to take on Reservoir and triumphed by eight points in what was a minor upset.
The Mustangs, off a 15-day break, were dominating early without putting it on the scoreboard but led 2.8 to 1.0 at quarter time. The Saints had a big second term to lead narrowly at half time and then had enough in reserve to get the chocolates.
A classy goal with five minutes to go by Reservoir’s Josh Grabowski gave the home crowd some hope, but that was the last score of the contest.
Cameron Cloke was dominant with nine majors for Watsonia. Fourteen players celebrated their first senior competition win after the game in a jubilant visitors’ room.
“We love this feeling of a win and hope to do it more often than not”, said Watsonia coach Anthony McGregor. McGregor gave credit to his rucks in Mason Grech and Bradley Moorey. He had positives comments for players all over the ground, praising Luke Sansonetti at centre half back, Nathan Hallyburton in the middle and Jai Bartzis at half forward.
“We didn’t make the most of our early opportunities and kept them in the game; but credit to Watsonia because they were good enough to grab their chance,” said Reservoir coach Steve Krstevski.
Krstevski named Paul Scanlon at half back as his best, along with mids Justin Taylor and James Tadd.
Neighbours Epping and Lalor played at Epping Recreational Reserve. The Blues jumped out of the blocks with a seven goal to one first term and controlled the game thereafter on the way to a 66-point win.
“We are working hard and aiming to get better every week,” said Epping coach Brad Hollow, who gave praise to ex South Morang defender Louis Circosta and midfielder Jude Georgievski. Up front, Daniel Rakhlin led the way with seven goals.
The Bloods were able to apply pressure and get the game on their terms for parts of the second term and never gave up all day, with Shannon Smith again excelling.
Old Eltham Collegians bounced back from their narrow Round 1 loss to record a 36-point victory over Kinglake at Eltham College. On a past players and sponsorship day, the Turtles slotted the first five goals of the game and never looked like losing.
“The mixture of our experienced players and the youth that we have brought into the club is proving to be a solid, enthusiastic and exciting combination,” said Old Eltham Collegians coach Stewart McCallum.
The Turtles coach gave praise to defender and captain in Beaudie Maroney as well as recruit Connor Pilatti.
For the second week in a row, the Lakers were slow to hit their straps. They were 46-points down at the main break and although they won the second half, the damage was already done by then.
“We aren’t far away; we have been missing some really important players and therefore yet to click,” said Kinglake coach Dave Florance. “There are some good signs, and we are excited about the young blokes and what they are doing.”
Recruit Dean Limbach booted four for the Lakers, while another recruit in Liam Lucas also impressed.
After having the Round 1 bye, Ivanhoe opened its season with a huge 142-point win over Heidelberg West in a 4pm start time and kept possession of the Reinke Russell Cup. No fewer than thirteen Hoers players hit the scoreboard, led by Marcel Moran with five.
“I’m pleased that, with the new players coming in, we were able to gel and play together well as a unit,” said Ivanhoe coach Wayne Schultz.
One recruit familiar to Division 3 fans is Riley Loton who played in Banyule’s 2017 premiership team. Loton excelled in the midfield in his first game for Ivanhoe in the NFNL, ably assisted by Captain Alex Federico and Kane Veliou.
Michael Doyle and Will Drapac were solid in defence. Drapac effected multiple turnovers and was also able to drift forward to kick a major.
“They are a very slick unit”, said Heidelberg West coach Michael Missen. “We battled hard and tried different structures and personnel, but we were unable to turn the game on our terms.”
James Condello and Bryce Barnes were among the best for the Hawks.
The other close one for the day saw Mernda host Laurimar at Waterview Recreation Reserve. The Power continued their Round 1 form early and led by 19 points at the first break.
But the Demons hit back to make it a tight nine-point deficit at the main break. A titanic tussle ensued. Mernda hit the lead for the first time all day early in the last term with a goal to Lachlan Taylor and went nine points ahead when Christian Evans goaled.
Laurimar then kicked four of the next five to grab an eight-point lead just over halfway through the quarter and appeared to be cruising to victory. But a goal soon after by Lincoln Coffey reduced the margin to four points with plenty of time left.
But a late goal by Patrick Fitzgerald slammed the door shut and the Power prevailed by ten points in a thrilling encounter.
“We didn’t make the most of our opportunities early; all credit to Mernda who won the midfield but very pleasing for our boys to find a way to win”, said Laurimar coach Jimmy Atkins.
