MERNDA assumed outright second on the Division 2 ladder thanks to a devastating last quarter burst, which saw them past the Fitzroy Stars for the first time since Round 15, 2010.
The Demons were able to break the shackles in the last quarter having had to endure a number of challenged from the depleted Stars during the first three quarters. However, the Demons kicked 7.7 in the last quarter which took them to 15.21 (111) to the Stars 12.14 (86).
The Stars started the stronger of the two sides, generating plenty of opportunities and putting plenty of pressure on the Mernda ball users. However, the Stars could only muster one goal, that a set shot from Patrick Kelly-Briggs.
Mernda’s defence was made to work overtime but was able to repel many Stars attacks, before goaling in one of their rare forays forward through Dale Piggott.
The Stars were able to regain the lead through a deliberate rushed behind decision paid against Michael Milner, to which David Welsh took advantage, before Malcolm Dow started to take over.
Dow gathered plenty of the ball, generated clearances and was devastating on the scoreboard, kicking the next two goals. The Stars’ excellent opening quarter culminated in captain Lionel Proctor kicking a goal right on the siren, which saw the Stars open up a 23-point lead at the opening change.
A bake from coach Brett Wilson saw the Dees respond in fine fashion, opening the second quarter with the quintessential captain’s goal from Andrew Smith. In fact, Mernda would dominate the quarter, but weren’t putting their work on the scoreboard.
However, they were still able to cut the margin thanks to goals from Nick Brannelly and Luke Thorneycroft. Missed opportunities – seven in all – saw Mernda unable to hit the front and the Stars hit back through Shannon Turner, which saw the visitors up by that goal at the half-time break.
The Stars looked to have steadied early in the third quarter, with Kelly-Briggs opening the second half the way he did the first with the opening goal. However, Mernda was allowed to hit back and duly delivered with two goals from David Hutchinson and Dale Piggott.
It was the only time during the third quarter that either side would kick consecutive goals, as the remainder of the third quarter would be a goal-for-goal affair as the pace intensified. Josh Wanganeen gave Fitzroy a bit of breathing space with a timely goal, before Mernda hit back through Brannelly.
Mernda’s attempts to hit the front for the first time during the afternoon were again thwarted by the Stars with John Hayes responding. However, Mernda was able to take the momentum into the final quarter with a late goal from Piggott which saw the game evenly poised, with the Stars hanging on by four points.
The last quarter was Mernda’s best performance for the season, as many key players stood up with the game on the line.
Jai Robinson was one player who lifted in the last quarter. Well held during the opening three quarters, Robinson was able to unleash during the last, kicking the opening goal of the quarter before setting up Brannelly for his third. In fact, Brannelly was enjoying a purple patch as he was able kick a second consecutive goal, lifting the Mernda lead to 16 points.
The Stars had to respond with a top-two spot on the line and it looked as though they would mount a comeback, with Dow kicking his third goal of the game. However, Brannelly just about sealed the game with his third goal of the quarter, and his fifth for the game, before Robinson’s big last quarter yielded him a second goal and the sealer. Thorneycroft and Luke Shelton put the icing on the cake for the Dees with late goals.
Mernda’s best on the day was Nathan Mills, who helped generate plenty of opportunities out of defence and nullified Fitzroy’s attacking opportunities after quarter time. Brannelly was also one of Mernda’s best, alongside Les Adams and Luke Shelton who were workhorses in the midfield.
Amongst Fitzroy Stars’ best were Dow, who has continued his fine form in the midfield this season, David Welsh, Gordon Bamblett and Kelly-Briggs, who ended up with four goals for the afternoon.
Mernda now travels to Hurstbridge, where it will face up to a Bridges’ side featuring Chris Tarrant for the afternoon, while Fitzroy travels to Epping in a battle between third and fourth.
Final score: Mernda 15.21 (111) def Fitzroy Stars 12.14 (86)
