Tight finishes and big wins featured in the Pat Cronin Round 4 of Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 football.
Mernda came off the bye to play Watsonia at Binnak Park. It was noted in previewing this contest that teams coming off the bye or a break had started well and then hit the wall somewhat later in the first half. This game provided nothing like that, with the Saints flying out of the blocks to lead 30-1 after ten minutes.
But the Demons booted the next four to get back in the game. Nonetheless, the Saints took a 16-point lead into the first break with the high scoring opening term yielding 80 points between the two combatants.
It was a tough start for the defensive coaches, but they got some reprieve with Watsonia kicking the only two goals of the second quarter. Mernda were off target with 0.7 in the term and they trailed by 22 points at the main break.
A 4.7 to 2.2 third term in favour of the Demons set things up for a great last term. The Saints took a five-point buffer into the orange break. Mernda grabbed the lead with a goal to Kyle Green early in the last, but Watsonia responded quickly courtesy of Bailey White. The Demons then kicked the final two majors of the contest to clinch a thrilling six-point win.
“We ran well with the footy in our hand”, said a relieved Mernda coach Brent Marshall. He gave credit to Josh Mazzarella who played midfield and forward, finishing with two goals. Nathan Baccega also received praise from his coach, along with Kyle Yankos and Josh Caputo, who played his first senior game for the Demons after crossing from South Morang. Kyle Green kicked four for the victors.
Watsonia’s Bailey White, Jai Bartzis and Seb Tarczon are all firing this season and kicked three goals apiece, with Nathan Hallyburton also being among the best.
The win sees Mernda lock down third spot with two wins and a game in hand on the other five teams below them, who all have two victories as well. This group of team includes the Saints in seventh place.
Reservoir rebounded from a big loss to defeat Kinglake at a balmy Kinglake Memorial Oval to the tune of 51 points. The win propelled them into fourth spot on the table.
“We set up the game early, kicking four goals to one into a strong breeze”, said Reservoir coach Steve Krstevski. “I was pleased with how we moved the ball and defended the ground”. Krstevski said that Levi Greenwood was super through the middle along with Jack Berry and Aaron Edwards who finished with seven goals to move to second spot on the goal-kicking table. The Mustangs now go to the bye before hosting Laurimar.
It has been a rough start for the Lakers. “Ten of our best twenty-two have been unavailable across the first four rounds, including three late outs this weekend”, said Kinglake coach Dave Florance. “So, the team is playing their hearts out, to be fair.”
Will Graf and Tom Clarke were among the best for the home team.
Ivanhoe continued its run of big wins with a 139-point win over Kilmore at a warm JJ Clancy Reserve. It was a tight contest early on, with the Hoers holding an eight-point lead late in the first term. But then they slammed on four quick goals to end the quarter and the game broke open after that.
“I was rapt with how we continue to be brave and bold with our ball movement”, said Ivanhoe coach Wayne Schultz. Schultz lauded the work of Marcel Moran who kicked five majors. He also liked the run and carry of Will Goodieson off half back, Riley Loton and Patrik Della Rocca who slotted three goals.
“It’s hard to say this, but we played some of our best football this year”, said Kilmore coach Corey McCall. “We had some positive moments and had further opportunities to score but lacked polish. Ivanhoe has high end talent and outstanding ball movement.”
Jared Crosbie kicked two for the Blues, while Lachlan Chesher was named among the best.
Laurimar retained top spot on the table with a 96-point win over Old Eltham Collegians and Eltham College. After an even first term, the Power kicked six goals to one in the second quarter to take a firm grip on the game.
Patrick Fitzgerald booted four majors but was outdone by his Laurimar teammate Heyden Trim with five. Leaders Luke Wilson and Jesse Donaldson impressed for the visitors.
“It was a tough contest early and we didn’t make the most of our opportunities”, said Laurimar coach Jimmy Atkins. “We got on top in the middle after that, were able to control the game and had a good win.”
“I was really happy with the boys’ efforts, they battled hard”, said Old Eltham Collegians coach Stewart McCallum. “We were missing a few of our players through injury, but Laurimar outclassed us with their skill and experience.”
Nick Milne kicked two for the Turtles, while Danile Hallett also contributed well.
The other close game saw Epping come from behind to defeat Heidelberg West at Heidelberg Park.
The Hawks looked like winners for most of the day, without being able to slam the door shut on its opponent. The Blues showed a mixture of perseverance and skill to get themselves over the line with a nine-point win. The contest really went down to the wire, with Epping leading by three points when the siren sounded. Daniel Rakhlin put icing on the cake with a set shot after the bell.
The win moved the Blues to fifth spot on the ladder and, with a logjam of teams from third to eighth all on two wins, it makes for plenty of interesting matchups in the next few weeks.
