Lalor recorded its first victory of the 2021 Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 season with an impressive win over Reservoir at Crispe Park.
A 6.8 to 3.0 second term broke the game open for the Bloods and then they pulled away in the final term in the 21.25 (151) to 11.5 (71) victory.
“It was a well-earned win for the hard work we’ve done,” Lalor coach Gary Cutler said.
“We were close last week against the Turtles and this will be good for our belief.”
The win moves Lalor into fifth spot on the ladder, just one win behind fourth-placed Kilmore.
The two sides had a total of twelve changes from the previous week’s teams.
Augustus Polidano came in for Lalor and kicked his first goal for the club, finishing with two majors. Another inclusion, Dylan Harvey, pleased his coach.
For the Mustangs, Ryan Evans came into the team and did a good job in defence. Co-captain Petar Pavlovic was another inclusion to impress.
While both teams moved the ball well from end to end in an entertaining game, the Bloods were more clinical overall and had more contributors.
Hirsi Twomey won well in the ruck, while Jake Langborne and Nathan Gioffre got plenty of the ball. Jessy Ellis worked his way into the game nicely, while Louis Hill showed a touch of class – kicking two goals and setting up numerous others.
Nathan Smith scored four first-half majors for the Bloods but was kept quiet in the second half when Robert Holland was moved onto him. Jacob Duson bobbed up with four goals in the second half for Lalor.
Sam Rexhepi was a handy link man across half forward but finished on the bench with a minor injury.
Reservoir was 46 points behind at the last break but failed to score in the final term. Lalor kicked five goals in relatively quick time in the middle of the quarter and then the game fizzed out as both teams ended with sore players.
Damien Petrucciani left the field early for the Mustangs with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
The last term fade-out turned the game into a disappointing loss for Reservoir.
“You can’t just play two and a half quarters and expect to win,” Reservoir coach Jason Hamilton said. This point was hammered home to his players after the game.
But there were positives for the Mustangs. Nick Gregson was a clear standout with six goals, including five in the first half. He also spent some time in the centre square and was sent to defence late in the game to stem the tide, where he took the mark of the day.
Jack Smith was solid in the midfield, while Jayden Ryan kicked a wonderful banana kick goal in the third term.
Both teams will be hoping for a better run with injuries and a more settled team as they progress through the season.
Reservoir makes the trip to Kilmore for a Round 5 clash with Kilmore. Lalor will host ladder-leader South Morang.
Final score: Reservoir 11.5 (71) def by Lalor 21.15 (151)
RESERVOIR
Goal Kickers: N. Gregson 6, B. Mowlam, E. Black, A. Hunter, J. Smith, J. Ryan
Best Players: N. Gregson, R. Evans, J. Smith, R. Holland, B. Mowlam, P. Pavlovic
LALOR
Goal Kickers: J. Duson 4, N. Smith 4, D. Cartisano 2, A. Polidano 2, L. Hill 2, L. Baker, S. Rexhepi, J. Bentley, A. Sneddon, J. Ellis, N. Gioffre, D. Harvey
Best Players: N. Gioffre, J. Langborne, A. Polidano, J. Ellis, L. Hill, D. Harvey
