A look at the Round 2 matches in Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3.
Kilmore and Heidelberg West occupied the bottom two places on the ladder in 2016, but both teams showed they are not to be taken lightly this year.
Kilmore showed improved form compared to 2016 with an all the way 11-point win over Laurimar at Laurimar Reserve.
The Blues had two multiple goal-kickers who were both recruits. Billy McKeown (from North Heidelberg) and Matt Bulluss (from Broadford) both scored two majors, while Luke Chapman (from Werribee Districts) kicked a goal and was among the best players.
Peter Shepherd booted three goals for the Power. New coach Wayne Sharkie would be disappointed to lose in Laurimar’s inaugural match, but maybe the Blues have been underestimated as they enter their second year in the NFL.
Mernda finished 2016 poorly, dropping from second place with two games remaining to miss the finals. The Demons then found themselves 14 points down at half time against the 2016 bottom placed Heidelberg West at Heidelberg Park in Round 1.
A huge eight-goal to zero third term made the game safe for Mernda. But the Hawks fought the game out well – albeit inaccurately – with a 3.7 to 2.2 final term to go down by 21 points.
Demons coach Steve Power, who was an assistant for the club in 2016, would be relieved to get the season off to a winning start.
Epping led by a massive 40 points in the third term against St Mary’s at Whatmough Park, but ended up falling over the line to record a three-point win. It was déjà vu for the Burra, who lost to the Blues by less than a kick in both their 2016 clashes.
Ex West Preston-Lakeside player Andrew Luzza did well for the Blues with four goals and was involved in several other scoring forays.
Banyule was entrenched in sixth place on the ladder last season and recorded several one-kick losses to top teams. But the Bears appear to have improved in 2017 and were big 124-point winners over Reservoir at Crispe Park.
James Kroussoratis played for the Shepparton Swans in 2016 but won the NFL Division 1 goal-kicking for Eltham in 2015. He began well with a bag of six for the Bears.
“We worked on ball movement over the pre-season,” new Banyule coach Peter Davey said. “The guys embraced it and I was most impressed with the way they did it.”
The Mustangs were goalless at the main break but managed three majors in the second half. “We can only improve from here,” Reservoir assistant coach Nathan Brundell said.
Of note is that four of the Mustangs best ten were not on the field for Round 1, and a plethora of ex-Mustangs were playing in other NFL sides on the day – including six of them at Whatmough Park alone.
Round 2 action of Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 football sees St Mary’s have the bye, while South Morang plays its first match for the season when it hosts Laurimar at Mill Park Lakes Reserve.
Lion fans will still be wondering how they haven’t been able to win a preliminary final in the past three seasons. Anthony Calafiore will return to Division 3 action for South Morang after being recruited from Thomastown, while Raaf Rachrache has joined from Hadfield.
The Power is likely to start as outsiders as they search for their first win in the NFL senior competition.
Heidelberg West travels to J.J. Clancy Reserve to take on Kilmore. With both teams showing some extra zip this year, it will be an enthralling contest.
The Hawks’ sole win in 2016 came against the Blues at Heidelberg Park; but their two trips to Kilmore resulted in big losses.
Mernda will be looking to go to the Easter break unbeaten as it hosts Reservoir at Waterview Recreation Reserve. It will be the first time the teams clash since the 2012 season.
Match of the day status belongs to the Banyule versus Epping clash at the R.J Brockwell Oval. These two are both expected to be competing at the pointy end of the season.
If the 2016 clash at this venue is anything to go by, it will be a cliff-hanger. The Blues won that Round 3 match by a solitary point in a game where Aaron Willitts’ six goals were critical.
