The results in Round 7 of Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 football were somewhat overshadowed by coaching changes at a couple of clubs.
Both Corey McCall at Kilmore and Dave Florance from Kinglake made their decisions to step down during the past week. They have been replaced by Mick Marrett at the Blues and ex-Laurimar coach Justin Sherman at the Lakers.
McCall led Watsonia to the 2016 Division 3 flag and returned to Division 3 this season. Florance was at the helm at Kinglake since the start of the 2024 season.
Turning our attention to the footy and there was a minor upset, while the top two teams continued their winning runs as they prepare for a Round 8 showdown.
Old Eltham Collegians travelled to Crispe Park to take on Reservoir and came from behind to win by five points in a thrilling match where most tipsters were selecting the home side.
The Turtles got as far as 27 points adrift in the second term, but Tom Burns kicked two goals in the shadows of half time to reduce the deficit to a more manageable 15 points.
Continuing on after the break, Old Eltham Collegians slammed on another three majors to edge to the front by the barest of margins.
The Mustangs hit back hard late in the term with the last two majors to take a 12-point lead into three quarter time.
Not a goal had been scored by the halfway mark of the final term, but then a goal to Old Eltham Collegians’ Tom Burns from the square made it a one-kick affair. Reservoir then did most of the attacking but scored two behinds to lead by seven points.
Then a 50-metre penalty took Turtle Bailey Dillon to the line for the easiest of goals to put his team within a point of Reservoir. Shortly after, Nick Milne received a free close in at an angle and the sharpshooter never looked like missing it. That was the last score for the game in what was a great day for Stewart McCallum’s team.
“It was an outstanding win, the boys worked so hard,” said McCallum. He had praise for Daniel Hallett’s job on Aaron Edwards in restricting him to three goals. The defence was the main driver in the victory and Sam Warren also helped out back there, with Connor Pilatti excelling in the midfield. Up forward, Tom Burns and Logan Martin booted three apiece.
Reservoir’s Dean Jeffrey matched the effort of his teammate Edwards in kicking three majors, while Mark Ferraro and Justin Taylor were among the best.
Epping played Kinglake at Kinglake Memorial Oval, bouncing back after two losses for a 52-point triumph. While most were expecting a comfortable win for the Blues, it looked nothing like that at the main break with the home team holding a six-point advantage.
Epping turned it on in the third term and scored 7.4 to 1.2 and set up the win.
“Our intensity and work-rate lifted after half time and we were able to get them on the outside”, said Epping coach Brad Hollow. Corey Middleton and captain Leigh Judd got a special mention from Hollow. The Blues now go to the bye and will face Reservoir at Crispe Park in Round 9.
Mason McAllister was a stand-out for the Lakers with seven goals. His effort helped Kinglake to their highest score for the season to date.
Mernda tussled with Heidelberg West at Heidelberg Park and won by 43 points, making it four on the trot after their Round 3 bye.
Lincoln Coffey was Mernda’s best with three goals up forward and tag teamed well with Billy Morrison in the ruck. The result was pleasing for coach Brent Marshall who now has away wins against Epping, Watsonia and Heidelberg West. These triumphs have set the Demons up well to challenge for the double chance.
Bryce Barnes’ strong marking and three goals was a feature for the Hawks. Mitch Antonello had to battle against the dual ruck combination of Mernda, which was a tough assignment. But he did some good work around the ground once the ball hit the ground at stoppages.
The top two teams tuned up for their Round 8 clash with triple digit wins.
Ivanhoe hosted Lalor at Ivanhoe Reserve and, as expected, came away with a good win to the tune of 131 points, making it six three-figure wins in a row. The Hoers led by 131 points at three quarter time, but the Bloods found something against a more talented opposition and kicked one more goal than the home side in the final term. The quarter was a draw with Lalor booting 7.1 to 6.7.
Ivanhoe’s score of 183 was their best for the season, beating the effort of the previous week against the Turtles by a solitary point.
“We didn’t want to flirt with our form”, said Ivanhoe coach Wayne Schultz, who praised the work of Riley Loton who played for the Hoers as a junior. Loton played midfield and drifted forward to top the goal-kicking on the day with a bag of five. The performance will no doubt have him pressing for top spot in the Coaches MVP award with Jesse Donaldson of Laurimar.
Schultz also noted the selfless play of Oscar McIntyre who performed admirably in the ruck and forward.
Bloods fans weren’t having a great day for three quarters, but the team gave them something to smile about by fighting it out to the end and went within a whisker of joining the Turtles as the only team to win a quarter against Ivanhoe.
“We could’ve rolled over but we responded, which is good”, said Lalor coach Lance Whitnall. Whitnall loved the work of Heath Patton in defence as well as Alex Finch as an inside mid.
Laurimar made the trip up the highway to play Kilmore at JJ Clancy Reserve, coming away with an impressive 120-point win.
“I’m happy with our four-quarter effort today”, said Laurimar coach Jimmy Atkins. “I thought defensively we were very good and fantastic at the contest. A good win and looking forward to next week.”
Patrick Fitzgerald and Hayden Trim each booted five in the win. Tyler Thomas put in his best effort for the season and he also hit the scoreboard.
It was a tough initiation for new Kilmore coach Mick Marrett, but he will be aware that there are easier matchups to come. While the pressure and effort of the Blues was there, the system and synergy of the Power was too much for the home team.
“After the week the players had, I was really impressed to see their character and mental fortitude”, said Marrett.
“I feel they gave their all for as long as they could.”
The defence got a tick from Marrett, with Jared Crosbie and Liam Salter receiving a special mention. Under-17’s captain Maddox McManus and Chase Dennis did well against older and more experienced opponents.
We’ll get an indication of who will be the outright Division 3 flag favourite next week, when Laurimar host Ivanhoe in what should be a fantastic Round 8.
