Mernda have shot to the top of the Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 ladder after an impressive 28-point triumph over Old Paradians at Garvey Oval, their fifth straight win.
From the six-minute mark of the opening term, the Demons never lost their lead and despite the margin getting as close as 11 points midway through the third quarter, a three-goal burst to end the term was the catalyst for the visitors to run out the game as 11.12 (78) to 7.8 (50) victors.
The Demons are now on top of the ladder with a superior percentage to the Raiders and the Fitzroy Stars, who all boast the same 8-2 record.
Led by Kai Turner, Mernda’s defence was paramount in them getting the win, keeping Old Paradians to just their second lowest score of the season.
Turner was an intercept marking machine, while his ability to get into the right positions and put his opponents under pressure allowed him to win multiple free kicks to push his side forward.
Joshua Mazzarella also starred all around the ground and was composed with ball in hand, while both Matthew Bawden and Bryce Kimuliatis each produced moments of brilliance in the attacking half and finished with three majors apiece.
Others to play a role in the away side’s victory included Lachlan Taylor, who held his own in the ruck and was terrific when required up forward, and Joel Harris, who performed admirably in midfield all afternoon.
The Old Paradians had fewer contributors compared to their opposition, but a highlight was Kyle O’Sullivan, who was kept busy in midfield while Sam Gilmore impressed again in the ruck but wasn’t as efficient with his hitouts throughout the afternoon.
Lachie Kerr kicked the last goal of the second quarter and the first major of the third term to be the Raiders’ only multiple goalkicker of the match, as his side fell short for the first time in 2024 at Garvey Oval.
The hosts led for just three minutes for the entire game, and it came after Blair Healy converted his set shot to produce the opener for the afternoon.
Back-to-back goals from Kimuliatis and Taylor put the Demons back on track before O’Sullivan capitalised on a great opportunity at the other end to keep the contest tight.
But both Kimuliatis and Taylor would again impress in the front half, and both found the big sticks thanks to deep inside 50 entries from their teammates.
Already, the Old Paradians defence, who was missing Declan Brunskill to injury, were under pressure as their side trailed by 13 points at quarter time.
Mernda were in control for the majority of the second term and were able to slightly extend their lead throughout the quarter despite Mitchell Merkel nailing his set shot opportunity to start the term for the hosts.
Majors from Christian Evans and Matthew Bawden pushed the lead out to 21 points, and it got to as much as 23 points before Lachie Kerr delivered a beautiful set shot conversion on the half time siren to give his team a confidence boost as they trailed by 17 at the main break.
A slow start to the third quarter was brought to life by a brilliant specky and goal from Kerr, who helped Old Paradians make it an 11-point ball game.
It was the same margin at the 16-minute mark, before an eight-minute patch saw the Demons produce their best football of the game.
Kimuliatis and Jordon Kelly nailed difficult shots on goal from tight angles, while Bawden found the big sticks again to suddenly put the Demons in the box seat at three quarter time with a 32-point advantage.
Needing a big start to the final term, the Raiders surged forward as often as possible, when not confronted by consecutive stoppages, but three gettable opportunities for the hosts resulted in behinds.
As time went on, Old Paradians got more desperate, but they eventually did kick the first goal of the final term through Lewis Franz from directly in front.
But Bawden’s third goal at the 19-minute mark ensured there would be no late comeback from their opposition, before Jack Witchell and Joshua Mazzarella traded majors to conclude a deserving 28-point triumph for the Demons.
