With five teams on three wins, round 7 of the Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 season will be crucial as teams jostle for spots in the top five.
Round 6 action saw some come-from-behind wins and impressive performances.
Kinglake locked horns with Reservoir at Kinglake Memorial Oval. After losing due to poor final terms in recent weeks, the Lakers came from 8-points behind at the last change to overrun the Mustangs and win by 21-points in an encounter which included heavy rain, sunshine and fog in the second half.
“Both sides battled it out really well and in the end we were really pleased with how our side were able to keep applying pressure and win contested footy which allowed us to hit the scoreboard,” said Kinglake coach Dave Florance, who gave big ticks to Damian Pywell who kicked five goals, Michael Florance, Rye Johnson and Rohan King.
“They defend their ground very well and are able to turn intercept marks into attack very quickly and that was the difference in the end,” said Reservoir coach Rohan Davies who was pleased with Paul Scanlon at half back.
Four majors to Aaron Edwards drew him level on the goal-kicking ladder with Patrick Fitzgerald as the Mustangs head to the bye.
Mernda made it back-to-back wins either side of the bye when tackling Old Eltham Collegians at Eltham College and winning by 87-points. Robert Flecther’s men had five players who each booted two goals, including Nicholas Gregson who was among the best.
It was a tough day for Turtles fans as their team scored a solitary behind for the day. Vice-captain Nathan Jasper impressed for the locals.
Epping got off to a flyer against Heidelberg West at Epping Recreational Reserve with a 7.3 to 0.3 first term on the way to an 81-point victory.
“We worked hard on some things we needed to work on and we succeeded with them this week,” said Epping coach Brad Hollow.
Hollow had winners all over the ground with Daniel Rahklin booting five up forward, Brent Macaffer and James Tadd getting plenty of it in the midfield and Dallyce Taylor taking intercept marks in defence.
“Credit to Epping; they set up well around clearances and behind the ball. We struggled to hold territory and convert out chances because of that,” said Heidelberg West coach Dale Mayne. A real positive for Mayne was the work of debutant Mitchell Antonello.
Kilmore hosted the Fitzroy Stars at J.J. Clancy Reserve. For the first time in 2025 the Stars trailed at quarter time when the Blues led 2.2 to 0.3. But a 6.5 to 1.0 second term with the breeze helped the Stars regain the lead and they went on to win by 44 points.
“Pleasing we are continuing our winning form; great to bank some wins early in the season,” Fitzroy Stars coach Neville Jetta said. Jetta loved the work of debutant Roy George who complemented the mids and forwards very well.
“Happy to keep them goalless for two quarters; the boys stuck to the game plan and fought hard all day, but execution at times hurt us,” said Kilmore coach Paul Derrick. Jared Crosbie, in just his second game for the season, was among the best for the Blues.
Ivanhoe travelled to Laurimar Reserve for the first time to take on Laurimar. The Hoers were within striking distance at half time, but the Power pulled away late to win by 44 points.
“It was a really good learning opportunity for our young list to challenge ourselves against a top team that uses the ball cleanly and spreads well,” said Ivanhoe coach Wayne Schultz. Schultz had admiration for the job Harry Bourke did in keeping gun forward Patrick Fitzgerald to three goals.
“Proud of our boys to show patience for four quarters and put it back on our terms after a tough, hard slog early”, said Laurimar coach Jimmy Atkins. Atkins loved the work of Kaiden Arthur who kicked five, Ethan Bateman and Luke Wilson.
The results see the Fitzroy Stars, with a game in hand, and Laurimar breaking away from the pack on five wins.
A clump of five teams are on three victories. Ivanhoe, Kilmore and Kinglake are inside the five with a game in hand on Epping and Reservoir who are sixth and seventh. Mernda and Heidelberg West are a game further back.
Round 7 action has several games that will shape the ladder.
A clash down the lower end sees Lalor coming off the bye to take on Old Eltham Collegians. With the going tough recently for both sides, a win would be a welcome sight.
The Bloods would see this as a chance to claim that elusive win, despite the likelihood of going in as underdogs. They did pull off a huge upset at this venue in round 3 last season when downing Kilmore narrowly.
Turtles fans would hope that a win this weekend could begin to set them on a positive path. With just one win so far between the teams, an eager crowd will watch on.
Heidelberg West hosts Laurimar at Heidelberg Park. With the Power now on a five-game winning streak and looking to secure their grip on the double chance, a win is likely over the Hawks. Jimmy Atkins’ men would love to keep their winning run going.
But if the Hawks can pull the upset win, they will go to the bye at 3-4 and still within touch. With the home ground advantage, local fans will be hoping their team can prevail.
Having just broken a two-game losing streak, Kinglake heads to Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval to take on the Fitzroy Stars. The Stars are the hottest team in the competition right now with a 5-0 record. Add to that the home ground advantage, most pundits will be tipping the Stars.
Neville Jetta’s team has quality on every line and it would be a great effort if the Lakers were able to pull the upset. The only meeting between these teams at this venue resulted in a 55-point win for the Stars in 2023.
Kilmore travels to Waterview Recreation Reserve to take on Mernda in a game which will affect ladder positions. The Demons are on two wins and the Blues on three. In an unlikely scenario, Robert Fletcher’s team would go ahead of Kilmore on the ladder with a win of approximately nine goals.
The locals would be happy at this juncture just to get the four points and be on the brink of the top five. While the wind at Mernda has been the undoing of many a travelling team, ex-Mernda and now Kilmore coach Paul Derrick should know the tricks of the oval.
The Blues would maintain their spot in the five with a win and, depending on other results, could climb as high as third.
The match of the day sees Ivanhoe host Epping at Ivanhoe Park. It will be the first time at this venue for Brad Hollow’s men, so this adds to the difficulty of the challenge as they seek back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
Another thing of interest will be to see how effective the Blues will be in executing their attacking brand of football. They have averaged 90 points plus this season and that includes games against the top two teams.
The Hoers have a high focus on restricting opposition sides and their average against score this year is 65. Whichever team gets their own way in regard to these conflicting statistical facts will go a long way towards winning the match.
Adding to the interest is that the Blues displaced the Hoers in the final game last season to claim the last spot in the finals. It makes for a great game of football.
