A look ahead to Round 4 in Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3.
Round 3 was split over two days – with two games on Anzac Day and another two on Saturday April 27. There was a sense of honour for the teams playing on Thursday.
Lalor got on the board for 2019 with an impressive 64-point win over Reservoir at Crispe Park. The scores were close until the Bloods broke away late in the second term.
Sam Rexhepi booted seven for the victors and gave some away. Spencer Christopher also got among the goals with five majors. It was his first game since Round 17, 2017.
Captain Jackson Freebairn returned after missing the Bloods’ season opener and booted four goals in his role as a small forward.
“Reward for effort. After working hard, to get a win under our belt is really important,” Lalor coach Gary Cutler said.
The belief the Bloods will take from the day is a boost. With the reserves also winning, it was the first time both teams have won on the same day in Division 3.
Matthew Hands – recruited from Greenvale – and Ben Mowlam both kicked three goals for the Mustangs, while Donovan Stuart continued to impress and featured among the coaches votes for the second-consecutive game.
The other Anzac Day game was a thriller, with Laurimar getting over the line by four points over Mernda at Laurimar Reserve.
The Power led by almost five goals in the final term but lost the lead in the shadows of the post. A late goal by Laurimar coach Justin Sherman from the goal square – his second – sealed the deal.
“It was good to grind out a win under extreme pressure,” Sherman said after his team scored a 15.13 (103) to 14.15 (99) victory.
Former Epping player Jordan Wilkins broke the lines for the Power and kicked two goals. Dallas King did well up forward with three majors and Jake Richards also stood out.
Mernda went within a whisker of pulling off a big upset. Josh Delaney recovered well from an injury in the previous game and booted five goals for the Demons.
Tyson Sparkes – recruited from Springvale Districts – continued his good recent form, as did Daniel Smith.
“We were well down at times. But to the boys’ credit, they fought their way back in and nearly pinched it,” Mernda coach Paul Derrick said.
Saturday’s games provided entertainment with both matches up for grabs late in the final term.
Heidelberg West journeyed to Mill Park Lakes Reserve to take on South Morang. The Lions led for most of the day but a 6.2 to 2.1 final term by the Hawks was enough to get over the line with a five-point win.
Kyl Ewart scored six goals and Jack Marris five in the win, which gave the Hawks their best start to a season in many years, with three wins from three.
Alex Colaidis booted four for the Lions and was ably supported by long-kicking Lachlan Golledge with three. The loss dropped South Morang back to sixth place on the table.
Old Eltham Collegians came off the bye to play Kilmore at Eltham College. It was a tight contest all day.
The Turtles were nine points down at the last change, then controlled the play early in the final term. But they were unable to score a major.
Two late goals to Kilmore put the game out of reach, as the Blues ran out 13-point winners.
“We got the four points, but we need to be more consistent. It’s part of learning – being able to string four quarters together,” Kilmore coach Nathan Phillips said.
The win keeps the Blues in fourth spot as they head to the bye. Away wins at Eltham College might prove valuable as the season unfolds.
Kilmore defender Jaxson Kinnear played at centre half forward and was outstanding with six of his side’s eight goals. Leigh Irons impressed – always first to the footy, while Jeremy Topham again contributed well.
The Turtles are getting closer to their first win and Nick Snowdon was excellent in his first game for the club.
“We had our chances but didn’t put it on the board,” Old Eltham Collegians captain Tim Woods said.
The team now gets a chance for some regular football after a three-week break between their first and second games.
Round 4 action in Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 begins with the undefeated Heidelberg West hosting Lalor at Heidelberg Park. Both sides should go in with confidence after good wins last week.
Lalor coach Gary Cutler coached the Hawks for the past two seasons, so will know his opposition well.
The Hawks easily won both clashes in 2018 – including a 99-point victory in the last round of the regular season, but the Bloods look to have improved and should have some chance of causing an upset.
Mernda hosts Reservoir at Waterview Recreation Reserve. Both teams are currently winless and would love to open their account this weekend.
The Demons would be the favourites with most tipsters. But the Mustangs led at three quarter time in their 2018 clash at this venue – only to be overrun late and lose by 18 points.
Old Eltham Collegians will make its first trip to Mill Park Lakes Reserve to take on South Morang.
It has been a tough couple of rounds for the Lions. After losing to Panton Hill by 124 points in Round 2, they let a 26-point lead late in the game slip when going down to Heidelberg West.
History shows that teams losing in this manner can often start extremely well the following week, so it will be vital for the Turtles to stay in touch early as they seek their first NFNL senior win.
The 4:10pm game is the pick of the round when Laurimar travels to A.E. Cracknell Reserve to vie with Panton Hill.
Both teams are undefeated, and Laurimar sits atop the ladder – courtesy of having played an extra game than the Redbacks. But Panton Hill will leapfrog the Power with a win, so it will be a fiercely-contested battle.
Each team’s lead-in to the important contest could not be more different.
Laurimar scraped in against Mernda, while the Redbacks, before their bye, had a huge home win over South Morang.
As such, Panton Hill is likely to go in as favourite, but Laurimar will be keen to show that it has improved further after playing finals in its second year of senior football last year.
The Power won their only clash at this ground last season by 15 points, when Jacson Cecil booted four majors in a come-from-behind triumph.
