The top teams will be jostling for spots in the top five as Round 15 action in Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 Football approaches.
Round 14 action saw some teams score crucial wins as the regular season enters its last month.
Ivanhoe took on Mernda at Ivanhoe Park, with the Hoers winning a thriller by six points after leading by as much as 43 points.
The Demons levelled the scores late in the final term to go to 15.3 via a long goal from Brayden Plant. But Andy Otten sealed the deal soon after with his fifth after a big grab in the goal square. His team won despite kicking one less goal.
“Credit to Mernda, they kicked straighter; we have to own our moments and finish off our work far better,” said Ivanhoe coach Wayne Schultz.
Schultz praised the work of half back Michael Doyle who is staking his claim for team-of-the-year honours, while Kane Veliou and Tristan Stead also contributed well.
Teenager Lincoln Coffey stood out for Mernda with some nice grabs and he also hit the scoreboard.
Kilmore hosted Reservoir at J.J. Clancy Reserve in a seesawing encounter. The Blues came from behind at the last change to win by 15 points in Leigh Irons’ 350th game.
“Just an arm wrestle all day; but we managed to run the game right out,” said Kilmore coach Paul Derrick who finishes his tenure at the Blues at year’s end.
Derrick loved the work of Mitch Portoglou in keeping Aaron Edwards to two goals, while also giving credit also to Josh Coe and Jared Crosbie who kicked three goals.
Levi Greenwood and Josh Grabowski got plenty of it in the middle for the Mustangs.
Kinglake played Old Eltham Collegians at Kinglake Memorial Oval. The Lakers took control with a 7.10 to 1.1 first half on the way to a 76-point win.
“A good game from us with an even spread of contributors; we are right up for the challenge this week against the Stars,” said Kinglake coach Dave Florance.
Rohan King and Ben White excelled for Kinglake in the win which snapped a two-game losing streak.
Beaudie Maroney continued his stellar season for the Turtles and was ably assisted by James McCallum.
Lalor and Heidelberg West played at Lalor Reserve. The Hawks snapped a seven-game losing streak, winning by 37 points. Max Post is usually a defender but impressed with three majors in the win, while Brad Moore once again stood out.
“We had some good moments and are starting to move the ball better now; credit to Lalor as they were tenacious and fought hard to the end”, said Heidelberg West coach Dale Mayne.
Sam Rexhepi kicked five goals for the Bloods with Hirsi Twomey acquitting himself well. Lalor now goes to the bye.
A top three clash saw Laurimar and Epping meet at Laurimar Reserve. A 7.2 to 0.3 third term won the game for the Power who prevailed by 46 points.
“I thought we just about played our best game for the year; pressure and ball movement was impressive against a tough opposition,” said Laurimar coach Jimmy Atkins.
Power forward Patrick Fitzgerald kicked six majors in the win to move to the top of the goal-kicking ladder, two ahead of Aaron Edwards. Bailey Macleod and Noah Mooney were others to stand out for the victors.
“We started okay and finished well but in quarters two and three we forgot to come out to play and Laurimar was very good,” said Epping coach Brad Hollow. James Tadd and Lucas Aquilina were best for the Blues.
The Fitzroy Stars lead the ladder on twelve wins, one ahead of Laurimar. Epping is third on nine wins, with Ivanhoe on eight wins and Kinglake on seven. Outside the five sit Kilmore and Mernda on six wins.
Round 15 action sees some teams just outside the top five needing upset wins to keep their finals hopes alive.
Mernda hosts Laurimar at Waterview Recreation Reserve. Despite the home ground advantage, the Demons will go in as underdogs against a Power team that was super impressive against Epping the previous week.
Brent Marshall’s team have gone close to a win in the previous two weeks and need a win to keep their finals hopes alive. Their fans hope Billy Morrison can return for the game after missing last week.
Laurimar would like to build on last week’s win and take momentum into the finals series. The Power easily won their early season battle at Laurimar oval to the tune of 62 points, but the last clash between these teams at this venue saw the Demons prevail by eight points.
Kilmore takes on Epping in a Blues versus Blues match-up. Paul Derrick’s men need to win at least another three games to play finals. They would have some confidence now, having won both games since the bye and may feel that they are ready to take a scalp.
Brad Hollow’s men would see this as a must-win game as they endeavour to lay claim to the double chance. A win here would keep them ahead of Ivanhoe who have a game in hand on them. Despite their poor showing last week against Laurimar, they are a good chance to bounce back, having won seven on the trot before that loss.
Old Eltham Collegians take on Ivanhoe at Eltham College in what appears to be a lopsided affair based on ladder positions. The Hoers are on a five-game winning streak and look to be peaking at the right time for finals.
Coach Wayne Schultz will want his charges to focus on the task at hand and get the vital four points in a must-win. They have only played once at this ground and lost to the Turtles by 32-points in round 6 last season. Having the experience of playing on the surface will be a plus for them.
Matt Sleeman’s men have looked a bit better in recent weeks, highlighted by a win against nemesis Heidelberg West two weeks ago. Their fans would be hoping for an upset win.
Two teams also looking to finish the year well meet when Heidelberg West takes on Reservoir at Heidelberg Park. The Hawks will draw level with the Mustangs on four wins should they be able to prevail. They should go in with renewed confidence after snapping a long losing streak last weekend.
The Mustangs have already had their best season since their 2015 flag win but would like to get another win or two before season’s end. They will probably go in as favourites in what is an intriguing match-up.
Match of the day status belongs to the clash between Kinglake and the Fitzroy Stars at Kinglake Memorial Oval. The Stars are coming off the bye and have top spot all but sewn up.
The next challenge would be to go through the season undefeated. This has never been done in Division 3 history, so it would be a wonderful effort if Neville Jetta’s men were to do it. This may be the most difficult game for them in the run home.
It’s hard to tip against the Stars who will obviously go in as the favoured team. They had a big win over the Lakers by 69 points earlier in the season at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval. The record at Kinglake Memorial Oval is one apiece, with Kinglake winning the 2023 encounter by 10 points.
The midfield match-ups look crucial to the outcome with the likes of Bailey Robinson for the home team up against Kain Proctor and his fellow mids at the Stars.
A Lakers win would virtually clinch a finals berth and the local fans are sure to turn up in numbers to see their if their team can give the league leaders a run for their money.
