A look at the Round 8 matches in Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3.
Round 8 looms as a big weekend in Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 as a logjam builds at the top of the ladder ahead of the Queen’s Birthday weekend break.
Heidelberg West snared a late goal to defeat Epping at Epping Recreation Reserve in a highly-entertaining game in Round 7.
A Jayden Shirreff goal in the final minute secured a four-point win for the Hawks and moved them into fourth spot on the ladder at the expense of the Blues. It was the best win by Heidelberg West for the season – having previously beaten Kilmore, Laurimar and Reservoir.
Banyule notched up the double-century against Reservoir at R.J. Brockwell Oval in a 31.14 (200) to 3.3 (21) win. James Kroussoratis booted a season-high 12 goals in the big victory, equalling the record for most goals kicked in a senior match at R.J. Brockwell Oval.
Joseph Spicuglia justified his promotion from the reserves for the Mustangs to be one of his team’s best, along with Dylan Potter.
St Mary’s won every quarter on the way to a 47-point win over Kilmore at Whatmough Park.
The Burra had five multiple goal kickers and, interestingly, had a larger margin than the 22-point win by Banyule over Kilmore in the previous round. This indicates St Mary’s is a genuine contender after four-consecutive wins.
Kilmore would have replaced St Mary’s in the top-four had it won. Although disappointed with the loss, the Blues are becoming a more competitive team away from home in 2017.
South Morang kicked 6.4 to 1.1 with the wind in the first stanza against Mernda at Waterview Recreation Reserve. From there, the Lions led all the way to win by 44 points.
Both teams looked significantly different than in recent weeks – with Darren Gresham, Luke Jackson, Kane Maghamez and Paul Harrison all gone from the Lions. On top of a long injury list, the Demons have lost Les Adams and Matthew Golledge for a large chunk of the season after receiving hefty suspensions.
“We’re depleted at the moment but the boys are having a crack,” Mernda coach Steve Power said.
The loss puts Mernda two games outside the top-four. The Demons have the bye in Round 8 and then the Queen’s Birthday week off.
They will be hoping to bring back players from injury for their vital Round 9 clash with Heidelberg West at Waterview Recreation Reserve.
Heidelberg West faces another test in Round 8 action when its hosts Banyule at Heidelberg Park.
The ledger stands at 6-0 in favour of Banyule since the Bears joined the Northern Football League in 2015. The closest the Hawks have run the Bears is 17 points in their most recent clash at R.J. Brockwell Oval last year.
Banyule is likely to be tipped to remain unbeaten in this one, although the Hawks will be carrying strong momentum from last week’s win. Heidelberg West may need a victory to remain in the top-four.
Laurimar travels north to J.J. Clancy Reserve for the first time to take on Kilmore.
The Power will be buoyed by their breakthrough win before the bye and will seek atonement after losing their Round 1 encounter at Laurimar Reserve by 11 points.
The Blues would be in the four or on the verge of it with a victory and should be favoured to win after being competitive against top sides in recent weeks.
Reservoir has been beaten soundly by the top-two sides in the past fortnight and now faces third-placed St Mary’s at Crispe Park.
The Burra will be the hottest of favourites to win this clash, while the Mustangs will be trying to build some momentum for games against lower-placed teams after the Queen’s Birthday bye.
A side interest in the game will be that the Burra will feature several ex-Reservoir premiership players, including 2017 recruits Joel Buckley and Leigh Sullivan.
The round is headlined by the Epping versus South Morang tussle at Mill Park Lakes Reserve. The Blues were disappointed to let last week’s home game against the Hawks slip.
Having had a run under their belt after not playing the previous two Saturdays, they should be better placed to take on the Lions. But they will have to contend this week without Kevin Kiernan who was red carded in Round 7.
With St Mary’s likely to boost its percentage this week, South Morang will probably need to win in order to hold on to second spot on the ladder. The Blues would most likely move back into the top-four with a win.
