NORTH HEIDELBERG awaits Mernda in the Division 2 preliminary final after the Demons recorded a tense 28-point victory over Lalor in the first semi final.
With 20 minutes played in the final quarter, questions were floating around Epping Recreational Reserve. Was Mernda choking? Could Lalor snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and get a crack at its fierce rival for a spot in the Grand Final?
To put everything into perspective, Lalor, having trailed by as much as 41 points 10 minutes beforehand, furiously added 5.1 to trail by 10 points with around eight minutes left.
That was before Anthony Volpe intervened.
Normally an inside midfielder, Volpe was sent forward for this match and the move paid dividends when he kicked the final two goals to seal Lalor’s fate for 2014, and extend the Demons’ Division 1 dreams.
The game wasn’t quite as dramatic as the second semi between North Heidelberg and Fitzroy Stars the previous afternoon, but was attacked by both sides with the same amount of finals vigour.
This ensured the crowd got their monies worth with some spectacular highlights, courageous acts and a good game of football.
Mernda got away strongly, kicking the opening four goals. Nick Brannelly made the most of his promotion back into the starting side, kicking two of those goals, with Volpe adding another, as well as David Hutchinson – who took a big hanger in the forward line prior to his goal.
Despite this, Lalor was able to hit back, crucially kicking goals against the wind thanks to Tim Murphy and Jarrod Parry’s efforts.
The Demons were then able respond after a brilliant Jai Robinson burst, setting up Andrew O’Reilly for the Demons’ fifth, before Scott Dowell took a big pack mark to ensure the margin was only 13 at quarter time.
It looked as though Lalor would take control when Jarrod King – returning after being shown a yellow card alongside Mernda’s Joel O’Reilly in the opening quarter – and Scott Morrison kicked goals to open the second quarter and reduced the Bloods’ deficit to one point.
However, against the flow, Hutchinson kicked his second. It would be typical of the Bloods’ day. At times they were pushing to hit the front, but Mernda had the tools to hit back and maintain the lead all day.
Hughes again reduced the margin following an excellent coast-to-coast transition, and looked like he was going to put the Bloods in front when he looked for all money to mark and have a set shot from 30m.
However, Joel O’Reilly intervened with a sensational spoil, earning himself a free kick. The ensuring transition across the ground led to a Luke Shelton goal.
Finals football at its best from both sides throughout the first half, and Mernda was in front by eight. Jack Bianchin and Luke Shelton had been instrumental for the Demons, while Shannon Smith was gathering possessions at will for the Bloods.
Mernda kicked four of the six goals in the third term, with Robinson getting on the scoresheet after being moved to full forward, before Brannelly kicked his third in response to King’s second.
Les Adams kicked another, and when Andrew O’Reilly kicked his second the margin was 27 points. However, a late Hughes goal ensured Lalor was still in the hunt going into the last change.
With seasons on the line, the first goal was crucial in deciding both sides’ hopes for season 2014, and it was Hutchinson who extended the lead for Mernda.
When Brannelly kicked goals four and five, the margin was 41 points and the game seemingly over.
Well, for everyone except for Lalor. Hughes kicked goal number three immediately after the bounce, before Spencer Christopher kicked back to back goals.
Dean Angelkoski added another, before Dowell kicked a fifth and suddenly it was game on.
With Lalor lifting all around the ground and having won the opening five centre clearances in the last quarter, Mernda needed to lift, otherwise it would be going out in the first week – something a mere 10 minutes earlier.
In the end, the Demons did respond, with Robinson kicking his second, before Volpe kicked goals two and three to ice the game and Lalor’s season.
With their 28 point victory, the Demons now travel to Whittlesea where they will face North Heidelberg for a spot in the Grand Final.
It is a great result for a club who had suffered relegation to Division Three only three years ago.
As for Lalor, a much improved season comes to an end. With plenty of young players infiltrating the senior side throughout the season, the future looks bright at Lalor Reserve.
Final score: Mernda 17.12 (114) def Lalor 13.8 (86)
