Laurimar continued its stellar mid-season form with a 30-point victory over local rival Mernda in Round 11 of Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3.
The Power led at every change and kicked six goals to two in the final quarter to run away 15.11 (101) to 10.11 (71) victors at Laurimar Reserve.
Laurimar coach Justin Sherman praised his side post-match, specifically its ability to fend off every Mernda challenge.
“To be honest, I’m a bit blown away with how good the group handles pressure situations, you can’t teach that stuff,” Sherman said.
Jack Kreuzberger was named best afield for the winning side, while Jake Richards and Mitchell Thompson were also influential.
Dallas King kicked four goals to take his total to 23 for the season, while Jackson Cecil continued his run of form with another three goals to take his tally to 15 over the past five weeks.
They were aided by Josh Williamson, Nathan Taylor and Stephen Tsonas, who all booted two goals apiece in what was a very even performance in attack for the Power, something Sherman lauded post-match.
“That’s the one thing we’ve wanted this year, it’s not just been about one individual, it’s about them fitting into our team brand and game style,” he said.
For Mernda, skipper Josh Delaney fought hard all afternoon and booted four majors, while Tim Blacker was the only other multiple goal scorer with two majors.
Kicking with the wind in the first quarter, Mernda looked to attack early in the match but was unable to convert its opportunities.
The ball flew from end to end with neither team able to put the first major on the board, before Taylor kicked the Power’s first which separated the sides at the first change.
Taylor kicked his second in the opening minutes of the second term before Mernda piled on three-straight to take the lead.
Undisciplined play from both sides gifted each other goals midway through the quarter, before the Power kicked three of the last four, including two to King, to go into the main break five points ahead.
Tsonas kicked his first early in the third term before the sides traded goals midway through the quarter in an evenly matched contest.
Jake Richards put in his best effort yet for mark of the year with a soaring grab at half back, igniting the home crowd and his side.
Goals to Tsonas and Hayden Smith early in the final term gave the Power all the confidence they needed to run over the top of the Demons.
Delaney kicked one for the Demons in an effort to reignite his side, but it was to no avail as Cecil booted two more for the Power, before goals to Williamson and Brad Deed put the result beyond doubt.
After defeating top-four sides in three consecutive weeks, Sherman believes his side is gaining respect throughout the competition.
“At the start of the year I had no win-loss ratios in mind, it was just all about competing for 120 minutes and finding a way to be better than we were last year,” he said.
“And I think slowly we’re starting to get the respect hopefully of the whole NFNL and we’ll continue to push and improve.”
Final score: Laurimar 15.11 (101) def Mernda 10.11 (71)
