Round 13 of Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 football took a back seat to the tragic events surrounding the Epping Football Netball Club.
Editor’s note: This report was written prior to Nathan’s Fitzgerald’s passing.
The gap between the top two and the rest continues to widen, while the battle for third hots up.
Watsonia took on Laurimar at Binnak Park. It was a tight tussle with the Power leading narrowly at each change. With just a 7-point lead at the last break, Laurimar booted three goals to nil to run out 28-point winners.
“I’m proud of them today”, said Laurimar coach Jimmy Atkins. “We had to fight it out with a few troops down against a good opposition.”
Atkins liked the work of Jesse Donaldson who booted a personal season-high four goals. He also appreciated the efforts of Joel Lawson and Ethan Bateman, with the latter playing ruck. Another player to draw the coach’s praise was James Apted. He played on Cloke who booted four majors, but it could’ve been more.
Luke Sansonetti and Owen Davidson were among the best for the Saints in a game which suggests they deserve to be in the hunt for finals action. After the match there was a reunion which celebrated Watsonia’s 2016 premiership win.
Kilmore retained the Country Cup with a convincing win over Kinglake at JJ Clancy Reserve.
While the Blues’ excellent ball movement led to lots of good looks, the goal-kicking was wayward on occasions. The under-17s players continue to impress with the opportunities they have been given.
“We are refining our system every week and are getting better and better”, said Kilmore coach Mick Marrett. “We welcome any challenge that comes out way.” Marrett liked the way Ryan Bailey attacked the play and was damaging across half back. He also enjoyed the work of Lachie Peggie who played forward and hit the scoreboard, Ryan Johnson in the ruck and the strong work of Chris Barton and Caleb Newport.
The Lakers were unable to back up their highly competitive game the previous week. Mason McAllister and Liam Lucas were among the best, with Lucas bagging two majors.
Heidelberg West travelled to Eltham College in what was a must-win game against Old Eltham Collegians.
A strong start gave the Hawks a 16-point lead at the first change and they never at any point trailed on the way to a 26-point win.
“Happy to bank the win,” said Heidelberg West coach Michale Missen. “We controlled the game and felt like we could’ve been further in front. But the Turtles are always hard to beat on their home ground and credit to them for continuing to fight hard.”
Missen named his best as Waylon Davey-Motlop, James Mefflin, Ronald Fejo, Nick Paton and James Tasiyan.
James McCallum, Reuben Thomson, Daniel Hallett and Nick Milne were best for Old Eltham Collegians, but Milne was injured late in the game.
Mernda tussled with Ivanhoe at Waterview Reserve. The Demons looked the better wide until midway through the second term and led by as much as 17-points at one stage. But four unanswered goals to end the second term gave impetus to the Hoers and they ran away with the game in the second half to win by 73 points.
Senior debutante Riley O’Sullivan booted four for the victors, with both Charles Robinson and Tristain Stead chipping in with three. The key midfielders for Ivanhoe in captain Alex Federico and Riley Loton led the way in the victory.
Small forwards Josh Caputo and Jett Phillips each kicked two for Mernda, with Billy Morrison being the best for the home side.
The losses by Mernda and Watsonia have set up a great race for the finals.
Reservoir jumped to third without playing on the weekend and have seven wins along with Watsonia and Mernda. Heidelberg West is a game further back. The Saints and Hawks both have a bye before the end of the year, so the Mustangs and Demons have a game in hand on them. It is possible that the battle for spots three, four and five might go down to the wire.
