The round 19 match of the day between Reservoir and South Morang at Crispe Park was a one-sided affair with the Mustangs running out convincing 83-point winners.
The home side took a strangle-hold on the contest with a six goal to nil first term and will bring good form into the much anticipated second semi-final against Thomastown.
Reservoir injected some smalls into their team among several changes. Out of the team went Joel Buckley, Ben Mowlam, Toby O’Meara, Danny O’Sullivan, Leigh Sullivan and Adam Meroli.
They were replaced by Joel Goodyear, Adam McLaughlin, Kelsey Clayton, Bradley Whelan, Kent Beaumont and Dylan Cornford.
Mitch Hicks and Lachlan Buckley were the omissions for South Morang, replaced by talls Duane Russell and Harry Whybrow.
While each of the Reservoir inclusions acquitted themselves well, Kent Beaumont was the stand-out. He booted four goals and missed another gettable shot. He also took multiple contested marks and hit David McGregor with the best pass of the day.
McGregor was the other live-wire up forward for the Mustangs. He booted six majors, including a snap from the boundary – a regular feature of his game. He also took a big pack mark in an entertaining display.
The Mustangs’ ruck combination of Wayne Pretty and Jason Dal Santo dominated and gave their small midfielders first use of the ball.
Daniel Couwenberg excelled in the midfield with precision disposal. His high number of quality possession was one reason that the game was played predominantly in the Mustangs’ forward half.
Justin Kuchel is running into form for Reservoir and has now played the last seven games in a row after missing much of the early season action.
“We wanted to see how good our depth was,” Reservoir assistant coach Leon Edwards said. “And we’re in a pretty powerful position when it comes to team selection.”
The Lions’ last game before the finals was arguably their worst performance for the season. Apart from Brent Howlett being outstanding in defence, it was hard to find a South Morang winner.
Their field kicking was very poor and they were also unable to pick up the Reservoir loose men once they lost possession. The Mustangs made them pay the ultimate price on numerous occasions.
The Lions were competitive immediately after the interval and had the ball in their forward half for the early part of the term.
But their forays forward resulted in three behinds. From then on, the Mustangs finished the quarter with two goals – while South Morang ended with a goalless term.
Two incidents exemplified the Lions’ day. Harry Whybrow marked about 15 metres out on a slight angle in the third quarter. He kicked into the man on the mark.
Late in the game – when Reservoir was once again dominating – Lion Daniel Heatley pushed opponent Kent Beaumont to the ground during a stoppage of play.
The resultant free kick led to the easiest of goals for Beaumont. Heatley’s action spoilt what was otherwise a solid performance down back.
“We have to put that performance out of our minds and focus on next week,” a disappointed Lion coach Craig Lambert said.
South Morang has played below its best since its round 17 bye, but has the opportunity to atone in next week’s first semi final against Watsonia, where the loser will be eliminated.
Reservoir’s Marc Defelice was red carded in the third term for tripping and currently faces a suspension.
Final score: Reservoir 17.9 (111) def South Morang 3.11 (29)
