Round 10 of Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 football provided fans with an upset and some favoured teams recording bigger than expected victories.
The surprise result of the round saw Reservoir come out 32-point victors over Mernda. The Mustangs established a lead early and never looked like giving it up, producing a clinical four-quarter performance at Waterview Reserve.
They applied strong pressure against the Demons in the first term which prevented them from taking advantage of the first use of the breeze. The Mustangs then cashed in themselves in the second quarter and controlled the contest. Aaron Edwards booted six in the win to move to second on the goal-kicking table behind Patrick Fitzgerald.
Mernda dominated in general play in the final term against the wind, but errant kicking at goal robbed them of any chance to bridge the gap.
At JJ Clancy Reserve, Kilmore produced its highest score of the season in 134, as the easily accounted for Lalor to the tune of 117 points.
“The boys played a good brand of footy and continually adapted to the system we wanted to execute,” Kilmore coach Mick Marrett said as he claimed his maiden win at the helm.
Kilmore had thirteen different players hit the scoreboard, led by Caleb Newport and Mitch O’Dwyer with three apiece. William O’Dwyer-Richards, who crossed over from Division 1 team Greensborough, had an immediate impact for the home team.
It was a tough day for the undermanned Bloods who had ten players out with two injuries occurring in the game.
“Our experienced players shone on a dull day for the club. Nawid Najafi, Adam Raffa and Luke Decarne were among our best and it was good to see Kilmore playing some under-17 players,” Lalor president Wayne Hutson said.
Watsonia quickly returned to the winners list with an 81-point win over Old Eltham Collegians at Binnak Park. The Saints put their foot down early to lead by 57-points at the main break.
Cameron Cloke and Bailey White each booted six goals, while James Latross contributed with four of his own. With Mernda losing on the day, Watsonia is now just one win off the double chance.
It was a tough watch for Turtles fans, although the team was much better in the second half when the game was already lost.
“I thought it would’ve been closer, but they’re a good team”, Old Eltham Collegians coach Stewart McCallum said.
“It doesn’t help that we had our four best defenders out. We were closer to matching them on the scoreboard after half time when we changed how we used the ball, but it just wasn’t enough to get over the line.”
Turtle Blake McCallum returned after not playing since Round 3 and booted four goals. Reuben Thomson, who came to Old Eltham Collegians after playing in the Under 19’s for Hurstbridge in 2024, had his best game for the club.
It was back-to-back scores of over 100 points for Heidelberg West when they defeated Kinglake by 59-points at Heidelberg Park, with the game switched from its initial venue of Kinglake Memorial Oval.
The Hawks defence held up well, while Bryce Barnes and Waylon Davey repeated the effort of the previous week with five and four goals respectively. Davey booted a terrific banana at the fifteen-minute mark of the second term, one of the goals of the day.
“We’re not the finished product, but when it clicks, it clicks,” Heidelberg West senior assistant coach Terry Doukas said.
He liked the team’s connection with their forwards and was pleased Barnes was able to finish off the work on the scoreboard. He also praised the work of Blake Charles who kicked two majors and Ryan Offer who did a significant amount of ruck work on the day.
Dylan Hoysted had his best return for the year for the Lakers with five goals. Connor Caldow continued his good recent form, while coach Justin Sherman pulled on the boots for the first time in the NFNL since 2023 and slotted two goals.
There were no problems for Laurimar in coming off the bye to play Epping at Epping Recreational Reserve to record a 101-point win.
The Power slotted eleven goals in the first term, while keeping the Blues goalless. The contest was as good as ever at quarter time, but Laurimar kicked another seven goals to three in the second term.
“It was good to respond after a week off. We won the game in the first quarter with a good combination of intensity and spread,” Laurimar coach Jimmy Atkins said.
Matt Keys led the way up forward with five goals, while Josh Campbell played his best game for the season for the victors.
Epping improved after the main break and matched it with the Power, despite Laurimar’s domination earlier in the game. The experienced quartet of Leigh Judd, Brent Macaffer, Corey Middleton and Jordan Wilkins impressed, with Wilkins a welcome addition recently after missing several games to start the season.
The Blues are now two games outside fifth spot and face a crucial game against Old Eltham Collegians who find themselves in a similar position. Ivanhoe, who had the bye, and Laurimar are at the top of the table with eight wins, with Mernda a game back then Watsonia another game adrift.
Reservoir is a further game back in fifth spot but have a game and percentage break on both Kilmore and Heidelberg West in sixth and seventh spots respectively.
