RESERVOIR and Watsonia fought out an enthralling game in Round 17 action of Division 3, while South Morang won comfortably against Parkside in blustery conditions.
Having managed just eight goals combined in two outings against the Mustangs earlier in the season, Watsonia was in the contest all day against the second-placed side in an improved showing at A.K. Lines Reserve.
Each team had ten goals on the board by half time, including two magnificent goals kicked from acute angles by Reservoir’s David McGregor.
The Saints’ scoring dried up thereafter and they fell short by 13 points. With Jeremy Bennett and Nick Gaylor both missing from the forward line, Andrew Kidd stood up for the Saints with four goals in his first game for the season.
Despite the loss, Watsonia coach Damian Zanic reflected on the positives.
“We had to make a statement today,” Zanic said. “The boys stood up and were accountable – but just weren’t able to kick enough goals. Now we have set a standard for the rest of the year.”
Reservoir’s Ashley Flavel has moved to within nine goals of the top of the goal-kicking ladder with a bag of six to follow his nine majors from the previous week. He was ably assisted by McGregor and Leigh Sullivan who finished with three goals apiece.
“We are building towards the finals,” Reservoir coach Ross Terranova said. “We are trying a few different thing as we aim to get the right balance in the team.”
Joel Buckley will miss the final round of the home and away season after receiving his third yellow card for the season.
South Morang came off the bye and looked a bit scratchy against Parkside, in its last game of the season, at Pitcher Park. At one stage in the third term, the Lions led by a wasteful 6.18 to 5.0.
From then on, South Morang was more accurate to finish with 14.23 and recorded a 66-point victory.
“Bad kicking is bad football,” South Morang coach Craig Lambert noted. “We started slowly, but got the job done. Parkside made us earn every possession.”
Lion Brent Howlett starred in his best effort for the season.
With a 43-year old and 45-year old helping them out, the Devils ran out of puff in their final quarter of football for the year, courtesy of the bye in Round 19. Shane McLaren finished the season brilliantly and has been in his team’s best for each of the past seven matches.
“We applied relentless pressure for three quarters,” Parkside coach George Lattouf said.
He also reflected on the season. “It was a tough, tough year,” he said. “But the coaching staff was brilliant. It was a good place to come to. People came off the street to play and we were educating them how to play the game.”
The Devils only won one game for the season, when they stormed home to narrowly defeat St Mary’s in Round 16. But they celebrated it like grand final winners.
Three teams come off the bye for the final home and away round of Division 3 action. Thomastown is on a six-game winning streak as it travels to Heidelberg Park to tackle Heidelberg West. The Bears won their Round 15 tussle by 96 points.
The Hawks probably appreciated the bye after being monstered by Reservoir the week prior and may get some of their stars back for the game. Despite being only a game behind Watsonia, their percentage is too low to challenge for fourth.
Watsonia will be preparing for the finals when it plays St Mary’s at Whatmough Park. Steve Goodwin, Jeremy Bennett and Nick Gaylor are all possible inclusions for the game.
The Burra’s upset win over Watsonia by 27 points in Round 15 at A.K. Lines Reserve propelled them into finals contention. However, they came unstuck the next week when they went down to Parkside.
Second plays third when Reservoir hosts South Morang at Crispe Park. Both teams will be working towards getting their best line-ups for the following week. The Lions led Reservoir in their round 15 match-up for most of the day, but were overrun in the final term and lost by 23 points in heavy conditions.
Ryan Keyes and Cameron Rooney both played reserves for the Mustangs on the weekend and may possibly play their first senior games for many weeks.
