Mernda has not given up of hopes of competing in this year’s Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 finals after resurrecting its campaign with three-consecutive wins.
The Demons put in a gutsy performance in Round 10 to hang on for a nine-point triumph against Heidelberg West, despite having no interchange rotations from midway through the third quarter.
Speaking to NFNL.org.au, Mernda coach Paul Derrick said he was extremely proud of his side’s efforts to notch another win and improve their record to 4-5 after winning just one of the opening six games.
“We knew it was a huge game and it was going to be tough all day and it was,” Derrick said.
“After half-time we only had two on the bench and halfway through the third quarter we didn’t have a bench. It could have gone either way in the end, but the boys fought it out and got a well-earned victory.
“I was very happy with the backline. They played really well all day, didn’t give up easy free kicks and were just physical in the contest all day, which was great.”
Despite kicking just six goals in the low-scoring win over the Hawks, Mernda has improved its attacking power in 2019 and sits fourth in the competition in points for.
Nicolas Aleksovski has been a revelation and has become one of the competition’s best small forward this season. The teenager has kicked 18 goals in seven appearances to lead the club’s goal kicking.
Derrick says it’s just about getting the right mix in the forward half.
“It’s just been a work in progress. We are trying new blokes and young blokes and trying to get the right mix and at the moment we are getting there slowly but surely and they are starting to kick big scores,” he said.
“Obviously Nic Aleksovski has been really good as a small forward, Riley Edwards has stepped up and played a really physical game and has got himself a few goals.
“We’ve got the big target now in Andy (Marino) and others who are going to hurt on the scoreboard, like our midfielders, so it’s slowly working itself out.”
Mernda currently sits sixth on the Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 ladder, six points behind fourth-placed South Morang – who the Demons play this week.
Derrick says his side will treat Saturday’s game just like a final, knowing a win is crucial to remain a genuine finals threat.
“It’s going to take everything. It’s a mini final in a sense that if we lose then the season is just about done and if we win then we will be knocking for a spot in the top-four,” Derrick said.
“We are going to go in confident as our form has been alright and it’s building but hopefully it will be a good game on the weekend because we haven’t beaten South Morang in our last three attempts, so it’s going to be a huge game.
“That’s (finals) got to still be our aim. This week will tell us if we are worthy as we have already beaten one side above us, and we’ve got all the big boys coming up so we need to snatch a few wins.
“We believe we are getting where we want to be so we will play to get a spot in the finals.”
Mernda will be forced into several changes this week, with Josh Delaney and Matt Campbell unavailable, although the Demons will welcome back Daniel Smith, who returns from a foot injury.
“Josh Delaney has got a concussion so he will miss this week, as will Matt Campbell,” Derrick said.
“Daniel Smith has been out with a knee for four weeks and he’ll be back. Angus Mills pulled out just before the game last week so he will also be back.”
