More vital match ups are on the way in Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 as we prepare for Round 7 action this weekend.
It followed a rare weekend of football for 2024, in which all results went according to ladder position.
Epping made it two wins on the bounce for the first time this season when defeating Kilmore at J.J. Clancy Reserve by nine points.
The visitors led by as much as 38-points late in the final term, but the home side mounted a strong comeback in which they just fell short in accomplishing.
Ethan Derrick booted three of his four majors in the last quarter, with Kilmore missing some gettable chances as they kicked 4.5 in the term.
“They took advantage in the first quarter, while we kicked three behinds from set shots, then it was catch-up all day,” Kilmore coach Paul Derrick said.
Sebastian Latina helped get Epping off to a flyer, while teammate James Tadd continues his excellent season.
Lalor travelled to Garvey Oval to vie with Old Paradians who came off the bye.
The Raiders were overrun by Kilmore prior to their break and found themselves two goals down at quarter time against the Bloods, however they soon rediscovered their best form with a six-goal to nil second term on the way to a 49-point triumph.
“Lalor were pretty physical around the contest, but we were able to move the ball fairly well which helped us generate shots on goal,” Old Paradians coach Ben Turner said.
Lachie Kerr, Marcus Nolan and Jack Witchell all booted three for the victors, but the best return on the day was five majors to Lalor’s Sam Rexhepi, taking him to 22 for the year and to the top of the Division 3 goal-kicking ladder.
Reservoir hosted Heidelberg West at Crispe Park and the Mustangs led at three quarter time for the first time this year, before the Hawks finished with a six-goal term to run out 24-point winners.
“We persevered and finished strongly. We are still very much in the learning stage, but wins are important,” Heidelberg West coach Dale Mayne said.
James Condello continues to shine for the Hawks, while Reservoir look to be getting closer to that elusive win, helped by James El Moussalli, who followed up his seven-goal haul in Round 5 with another four against Heidelberg West.
Kinglake was looking for its maiden win at Waterview Recreation Reserve against Mernda, but the well drilled Demons never looked in doubt and scored a convincing 49-point victory after jumping out to a 23-point lead at the first break.
“We felt like we had a lot of the play, particularly in the first half, however we weren’t able to capitalise on it, whereas the good sides like Mernda will make you pay,” Kinglake coach Dave Florance said.
“Over the last couple of weeks, the boys have showed some real fight and there has been some marked improvement in the way we play. I’m confident things will turn for us real soon.”
Lochlan Kelly put in his best game for the year for the Lakers, while Bryce Kimuliatis booted five for the Demons, who now have the bye.
Old Eltham Collegians clashed with Ivanhoe at Eltham College. The Turtles put the foot down in the third term to take control of the match remain undefeated so far in 2024. The Hoers had no match for Matthew Williamson who booted three and had a hand in other forward forays.
The Turtles sit a game clear on top of the table and a game ahead of a group of four teams. The Fitzroy Stars and Old Paradians have four wins from five games and are ahead of Mernda and Epping who also have four victories but have played six matches.
Ivanhoe is four points outside the fop five, while a group comprising Kilmore, Heidelberg West and Lalor find themselves a further game back on two wins.
Round 7 often marks a critical stage of the season. Every premier since 2015 has been in the positive in terms of wins and losses after their first seven games in a season.
Kilmore ventures south to play Heidelberg West at Heidelberg Park, with both teams looking to correct some inconsistent form this season. They will each be desperate to get the chocolates as they sit two games outside the top five.
The Blues have the slightly better form overall, but the Hawks have the home ground advantage.
Adding to the intrigue is that many Heidelberg West followers will recall the Round 5 clash between these teams at this ground last season, with the Hawks going into the game as hot favourites but ultimately falling short by two points. It was a match that arguably prevented them a finals spot by percentage only and they would be keen to atone for that loss.
Lalor has the second of its back-to-back away games against the newcomers to the league when they travel to Ivanhoe Park to do battle with Ivanhoe. Bloods fans have relished having two wins already this year, and any victory in a match against a higher placed team away from home would be a bonus.
It’s a must-win for the Hoers, who are breathing down the necks of the teams just ahead of them. A victory could propel them straight back into the top five, depending on other results.
Reservoir is still searching for its first win, but faces a huge task when hosting the unbeaten Old Eltham Collegians at Crispe Park. The Turtles have impressed in every contest this season and have won their three matches since the bye all by five goals or more.
It’s hard to make a case for the Mustangs this week and there are better chances for them in the future. But they do have the home ground advantage and Rohan Davies’ men will be keen to build on recent improvement.
Kinglake hosts Old Paradians for the first time at Kinglake Memorial Oval. The local fans will be hoping that this is the week the Lakers will open their account for 2024.
Although the numerical form doesn’t look that great, Kinglake has progressed well in the past two weeks when playing against some of the top flag hopes in Old Eltham Collegians and Mernda.
Further improvement would give them hope of what would be an upset win on their home deck, but the Raiders would love to carry on from their strong finish against Lalor last week and clinch a victory in this one. If they do, they will add some momentum to take into their next two tough assignments in Epping and Old Eltham Collegians prior to the mid-season break.
Match of the day status belongs to the tussle between Epping and the Fitzroy Stars at Epping Recreational Reserve. With both teams on four wins, a triumph by the fifth placed Blues would see them jump ahead of the Stars who are currently in second spot.
With each team eyeing off the double chance, this game has the potential to be season-defining. It should also be a highly entertaining affair as both sides have the ability to transition the ball with speed and precision.
The Blues won the Division 2 relegation battle against the Stars in 2022 and Lionel Proctor’s men will be keen for revenge, and with players of the ilk of Jai Burns for the Stars and Jordan Wilkins for the Blues exhibiting their skills, a large crowd is expected to cheer on the combatants.
