Panton Hill and South Morang meet in the preliminary final, where the winner earns the right to take on St Mary’s for the 2018 Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 premiership.
Fans who journeyed to the Whittlesea Showgrounds to witness the first week of finals action in Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 football saw two very different games.
In Saturday’s second semi final game, St Mary’s hit the lead midway through the first term against Panton Hill and was never headed – running out a winner by 23 points to ensure it claimed the first grand final berth.
Only 13 goals were kicked all day as both defences were well on top. The Burra looked in control but were unable to blow the lead out beyond five goals.
The margin remained about four goals for most of the game – giving the Redbacks a sniff had they been able to find an avenue to goal.
But they managed just one major in the last quarter and a half – never looking likely to win apart from a brief period early in the third term.
St Mary’s registered its first ever senior finals win and would be favoured now to go all the way. It was a great day for the Burra, whose reserves won through to the grand final without losing a game all year.
Sunday’s first semi final began in the same vein – with Laurimar leading two goals to nil at the first break. But the scoring increased late in the contest as each team had a potent forward on the day.
Seventeen-year-old Sam Indian booted six goals for the Lions, while at the other end Josh Williamson snared four and looked equally dangerous.
The last term was a 10-goal shootout. South Morang lost the lead with under two minutes to go and then regained it in the last minute and hung on.
The Power’s effort in making the finals was enormous. It was only the club’s second year in senior football and they only won two games in their inaugural season – finishing eighth on the ladder with a percentage under 50.
A year later, Laurimar finished fourth with 10 wins and a percentage just below 120. Based on the rate of improvement, they will a force to be reckoned with in 2019.
All teams seemed to get through the weekend without significant injuries.
Close finishes are nothing new to South Morang. The Lions have been involved in four finals with margins two goals or less in the past three years – including a kick on the siren in the 2015 preliminary final loss to Epping.
Sunday’s win means South Morang now plays in the preliminary final for the fifth-successive year, with the winner of this week’s game against Panton Hill at the Whittlesea Showgrounds to play St Mary’s a week later in the premiership decider.
The ledger stands at one apiece between the teams for the season. The Lions scored a 17-point win in Round 7 at Mill Park Lakes Reserve – with James Hewson kicking four.
The Redbacks gained revenge at A.E. Cracknell Reserve in Round 13 – winning by 40 points in a 32-goal shootout. Rhys Boyden booted six and Matthew Byron five for the victors, with Sam Indian slotting five for South Morang.
The likely line-ups this weekend are similar to those from the most recent clash. Matthew Byron is expected to be back for Panton Hill. Declan Carson-McLennan would be another possibility to bolster the forward line, which struggled against St Mary’s.
The Lions may opt to recall Mitch Dickson, but except the changes to be few, if any.
The team that can hold the opposing potent forwards will go a long way to winning the contest. Panton Hill’s mainstays down back are Mitch Anderson and Brent Ryan.
Both would be in the running for club best and fairest and one is likely to get the job on Indian.
The Lions have several defenders who may get the job on Rhys Boyden and likely inclusion Matthew Byron. Ben Power, Reece Jones and James Mellerick would be possibilities for the job. But solidly built Mathew Robinson could also be swung to defence if required.
The midfield battle will also be crucial. Panton Hill ruckman Nick Parks has been outstanding all year and has been giving his midfielders first use of the ball.
South Morang also has a talented midfield group – with Tye Hall and Cory Giannone being in good form late in the season.
Both teams would feel like they are well qualified to challenge for the flag and a high-quality game is anticipated.
The curtain raiser sees Heidelberg West reserves with Reservoir for a spot in the reserves grand final against St Mary’s.
