A look at the Round 5 matches in Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3.
Wins to Heidelberg West and South Morang enabled them to draw level with Banyule – who had the bye – atop the ladder after Round 4 of Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3.
Reservoir was competitive against Heidelberg West at Crispe Park for the first half – trailing by just 16 points at the main break. But, similarly to their previous match, the Hawks broke away after half time to post a 64-point win.
Jayden Shirreff booted five for the victors and recruit Ben Kennan played his best game for the club. Premiership player David McGregor booted three for the Mustangs, while Mathew Rodaughan continued his good recent form.
After winning just two matches in the past two years, the Hawks’ third-consecutive win put them equal on points with the Bears and Lions. However, both those teams have a game in hand.
South Morang maintained its unbeaten record with a 76-point win over Kilmore at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. The Lions were dominant early and led by 52 points at half time. Jake Potter and Daniel Watson excelled across half-back.
“We need to play four consistent quarters to match it with the teams at the top,” South Morang coach Dean Grainger said after the game.
Kilmore lost key players Marcus Webb and Brandon Austin from its selected side. The Blue were well served by Adam Milne – who missed the entire 2016 season for the Blues – and Jaxson Kinnear.
“We need to bridge the gap between our good and poor performances,” Kilmore coach Nathan Phillips said.
Epping moved into the top four with a huge 109-point win over Laurimar at Laurimar Reserve. After trailing at the first change, the Blues slammed on 20.9 to 2.3 in the final three quarters.
Usually played in defence, Shane Wood booted eight goals for the Blues while Kevin Kiernan and Aaron Willitts each chipped in with three. Jayden Wendt justified his promotion from the Power reserves to be among the best for his team.
The close encounter of the round was not decided until the final siren, with St Mary’s recording a narrow four-point win over Mernda at Waterview Recreation Reserve.
The Burra led for most of the day, but had to withstand a Demon fightback. At one stage, they trailed by nine points in the final stanza.
Daniel Dober was the most prolific scorer on the ground – with four majors for St Mary’s. Matthew Golledge scored two goals for Mernda as well as getting plenty of the ball in midfield.
Heidelberg West has the bye in Round 5 of Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 football.
Given this fact, the match of the round between Banyule and South Morang at R.J. Brockwell Oval will decide top spot.
The Lions and Bears have both begun the season in great form and the winner would be the competition’s last undefeated side and the early favourite for the 2017 flag.
South Morang has beaten Banyule in all four meetings since the Bears joined the competition. Their last meeting at the same venue resulted in a 47-point win for the Lions when Paul Harrison kicked seven goals.
This is expected to be a closer contest and should be the Bears’ best chance to notch a victory.
Laurimar travels to Whatmough Park for the first time to take on St Mary’s.
The Burra – relieved to have opened their account against Mernda – will be looking to continue their winning run against the winless Power.
Reservoir has back-to-back home games, this time against Kilmore at Crispe Park. Coincidentally, the Blues will be on the road for the second week running.
Kilmore could be knocking on the door of the top-four with a win, while the Mustangs seem to be gradually working towards getting their best team on the park. Because Reservoir was in recess in Kilmore’s debut season, this will be the first time these teams have clashed.
Mernda finds itself in fifth place – replaced in the top-four last week by Epping.
But a top-four spot is up for grabs when the two teams meet at Epping Recreation Reserve. With a congested ladder at present, the loser could possibly fall as low as seventh place.
The Blues are likely to be favourites following their impressive win last weekend over Laurimar and defeated the Demons in two of three meetings last season. But Mernda’s one win was at Epping’s home ground – when they won by 29 points in Round 14.
