THOMASTOWN and Reservoir opened up a gap on third place with strong wins in Round 9 action ahead of a top of the ladder clash this week, while Heidelberg West won to stay in touch with the top four.
Amazingly, this week’s round of matches sees Division 3’s first-placed team take on second, while fourth plays fifth and sixth takes on seventh.
Last week Heidelberg West narrowly claimed a see-sawing contest against Parkside at Pitcher Park by seven points. The Devils were jumped by the Hawks early, but hit the lead by half time. A dominant third stanza by the Hawks saw them lead at the last break – then just hold out the Devils in the closest game of the round.
“We were challenged but we are learning how to close out games,” Heidelberg West assistant coach Ray Walker said.
Playing up forward, Hawks co-captain Dan Bailey missed a few shots, but still managed four goals. It was a gutsy win for the club who played one short on the bench after Nubbi Bux was yellow carded twice in the third term within a short space of time.
“We had the opportunity but couldn’t nail it,” lamented Devils’ coach George Lattouf. He praised the work of Jack Philpott, who, like Isaac Romano, kicked two goals on his return to the team and said Darren Gresham was “superb”.
Reservoir’s only loss this season came after its first bye of the year, but it soon found its best form first up from its Round 8 bye.
The Mustangs drew away after an even first quarter at Crispe Park against Watsonia to record a 50-point win in heavy conditions. Toby O’Meara returned from a minor injury to boot four majors for the Mustangs, while Joel Buckley and Liam Ryan both excelled – continuing their impressive seasons.
Saint Hayden Mitchell did well and has been in his club’s best two players for the past four weeks. Watsonia now has a week off in Round 10, and then faces another tough test when it hosts top of the table Thomastown next week.
The unbeaten Bears were jumped early by South Morang at Mill Park Lakes Reserve and were down by eight points at the main break – the second time this season they have trailed the Lions at half time. But a nine-goal to one second half saw them run out 44-point victors.
Jacob Osei-Duro booted six goals to put a space on his rivals on the goal kicking ladder, while three majors from Ashley Hobbs was enough to put him into second place – ahead of the Mustangs’ Ashley Flavel and the Saints’ Jeremy Bennett.
The results fell Heidelberg West’s way in Round 9 – with the teams in third and fourth position above them both losing. It can draw level with South Morang if it can manage to beat the Lions at Heidelberg Park.
Last time they met, the Lions drew away to win comfortably – also at Heidelberg Park. But Heidelberg West’s break through for a win over Parkside ended a run of four consecutive losses and has ignited some renewed vigour. This victory, albeit narrow, may act as a pressure relief valve for the Hawks.
After going close to recording its first win of the season, Parkside travels to Whatmough Park to play St Mary’s, who enjoyed the bye over the Queen’s Birthday weekend. The Devils are gradually getting some of the best players back and are looking to break through for their maiden win soon.
In a similar pattern to the Hawks, St Mary’s also broke a four-game losing streak with a convincing Round 8 win over Heidelberg West prior to their bye.
They will be hoping to carry on that good form across the bye with a home win against the Devils. This is a must win game for the Burra as they attempt to keep in touch with the top four. They managed a hard-fought 18 point win over Parkside in their Round 2 encounter at Pitcher Park.
The match of the round is the much-awaited clash of top teams Thomastown and Reservoir at Main Street Reserve. The Mustangs are two wins behind the Bears, but with a game in hand. So while the top spot is not up for grabs this weekend, a win for either team would be a step towards securing first place and the vital double chance. The contest is expected to be much closer than their Round 3 clash, which the Bears won by 83 points.
