MERNDA confirmed its status as one of the top sides in Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 , with a nail-biting two-point win over South Morang in Round 9.
Tom Deayton laid a desperate smother on Kane Maghamez’s close range snap at goal in the final seconds as the Demons claimed the Plenty Rovers Cup with a 9.8 (62) to 9.6 (60) win at Waterview Recreation Reserve.
Mernda young gun Anthony Cardamone was influential, playing mainly across half-forward in a best on ground performance.
Stalwart David Hutchinson was unsurprisingly also amongst the Demons’ best and was aided by youngsters Billy Samie and Yak Dut, who coach Jason Ford praised post-match.
“We had three youngsters out there today in Billy, Anthony Cardamone and young Dutty and they just went out there and had a dip,” Ford said.
“We came to play, and so did South Morang, there was nothing in that game and we’re very happy to get over the line.”
Samie starred in just his second senior game, kicking four goals as the Lions tried multiple opponents in an attempt to stop the youngster.
Playing mainly through the ruck, Hutchinson made the most of his time up forward in the second half, slotting two majors to take his total to 19 for the season.
For the Lions, Ben Power impressed in his first senior match for the club, while the likes of Daniel Watson and Jake Potter can also hold their heads high in defeat.
Wayne Pavitt was lively up forward, kicking four goals, putting him just three behind Maghamez on the goal kicking table, with the competition leading goal kicker managing just one in wet conditions.
Jordan Steele was the only other multiple goal scorer for the Lions, with two goals.
Samie was able to get on the board early but neither side was able to kick away in wet and windy conditions, as the sides traded two goals each in the first term.
Samie once again started the second quarter with a goal, but much like the first quarter, both sides struggled to take clear possession as bodies piled on top of the ball all over the ground.
Pavitt was able to kick his and the Lions’ third goal late in the second quarter as the visitors went into half time just two points adrift.
Mernda once again came out firing in the third term, kicking consecutive goals for the first time through Cameron Curlis and Hutchinson.
Samie kicked his third and fourth majors to extend Mernda’s lead to what looked like an insurmountable 27 points at the 10-minute mark of the third term.
However, the Lions wouldn’t give in as a Steele goal sparked them into action. Further goals to Travis Stevens and Maghamez shortened the gap to nine points at the final change.
The momentum continued in South Morang’s favour early in the last as Daniel Watson went forward and kicked a goal within 20 seconds of the restart, before Steele marked at the top of the goal square and kicked his second to give the Lions the lead for the first time.
Pavitt found the goals for the fourth time minutes later and it became the Lions who looked unstoppable.
Mernda mounted its challenge approaching time-on and Hutchinson was able to mark and goal before Luke Drakes put the home side back in front with just minutes remaining.
The Lions threw everything they had at the Demons in the dying minutes, but were unable to find a winner as the siren sounded with the ball deep in their forward line.
Mernda will head to Heidelberg Park following the Queen’s Birthday weekend break to take on Heidelberg West. South Morang will play host to second-placed St Mary’s, looking for a win to stay in touch with the top four.
Final score: Mernda 9.8 (62) def South Morang 9.6 (60)
