There are a few fixtures where plenty is on the line this week in Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3.
Kinglake faces off against Epping at Kinglake Memorial Oval and will be looking to break their maiden status for 2026. It follows back-to-back away games against top five team for the Lakers and their home fans will see this as a genuine chance as winter draws near, despite their side going in as underdogs.
The Blues will be desperate to get back on the winners list after losses at home versus Ivanhoe and Kilmore. A win would keep them in touch with the top five and would be the ideal way for them to head to the bye and refresh for some good challenges to come.
Ivanhoe will look to continue its stellar season when hosting Lalor at Ivanhoe Park. The Hoers go into this match as the hottest of favourites against the winless Bloods. Having an eye on the Round 8 clash with Laurimar, this will be a chance to tune up for that match which should feature two unbeaten teams.
Lance Whitnall’s men probably put in their best performance for the year last week against Mernda and can use this game to prepare for consecutive home games upcoming against Kinglake and Heidelberg West.
Kilmore will be focussed on holding onto its spot in the top five when playing Laurimar at JJ Clancy Reserve. A loss will almost certainly drop them a spot or two. But the Blues would strengthen their grip on fifth if they can pull off an upset victory. They go into the game with some momentum, having achieved away wins against Old Eltham Collegians and Epping.
The Power will be aiming to head into next week’s top of the table clash as unbeaten league leaders. They will surely go in with plenty of confidence but will have to win away from home again to do it, having overcome the Mustangs at Crispe Park last week.
Heidelberg West welcomes Mernda to Heidelberg Park. Coming off the bye, the Hawks have an interesting month coming up. The match against the Demons will probably be their toughest test, then have games against Reservoir, Lalor and Kinglake. If Michael Missen’s men can win three of four, that should be enough to propel them into the top five.
The Demons are level on four wins with Watsonia, who have the bye. So, Brent Marshall will be urging his charges to claim the prize on Saturday to go a game clear in third spot on the table. Based on recent form, they will be favoured to win.
Reservoir takes on Old Eltham Collegians at Crispe Park in an intriguing match-up. Both teams sit a game outside the top five and would be a chance to grab fifth spot or be close to it with a victory. Each outfit has victories against Lalor and Kinglake, with losses coming against some stronger opponents.
The Mustangs’ form line reads slightly better and would probably be expected to win on their home deck. But the Turtles would love to be able to break their three-game losing streak and keep within striking distance of the cluster of teams above them.
Watching players of the quality of Josh Grabowski, Levi Greenwood and Aaron Edwards will make for an entertaining afternoon. With a lot at stake as midyear approaches, it shapes as an interesting contest.
