Second-placed Reservoir takes on the ever-improving Watsonia in a vitally important Division 3 clash over the Queen’s Birthday weekend.
Following an astonishingly close opening eight rounds to the 2013 Division 3 season, the match holds great importance for both sides as they continue their push for a place in the finals come season’s end.
With five wins from its opening seven matches, Reservoir currently sits on equal points with ladder-leader Panton Hill. However, a spate of close wins and a heavy loss to the Redbacks in Round 5 means the Mustangs’ percentage sits at exactly 100 – relatively low for a team with a 5-2 record.
The low percentage means a loss to the Saints would likely relegate Reservoir to fourth-place on the ladder at the halfway mark of the year – making this Round 9 encounter all the more important for last year’s preliminary finalist in its quest for a top-two place.
After winning their opening three matches of the season, the Mustangs have experienced indifferent form since their Round 4 bye. They have won two of their past four matches – having to come from behind in the final quarter of both of their wins.
Ill-discipline hurt them in the opening half of last week’s 10-point win over St Mary’s – gifting the Burra their first three goals in a relatively low-scoring encounter. However, their final 15 minutes were superb as they fought back from eight-points down with momentum against them to register a thrilling away win.
Justin Kuchel continued his superb form and was again best afield playing on the wing. After spending the 2012 season as a forward, Kuchel has thrived since moving up the field and is a leading contender for the club’s best and fairest.
Fellow midfielder Joel Buckley has had a fantastic month and will look to continue that against his former side this weekend, while Ashley Flavel’s 30 goals this year have come at an average of more than four a game.
Watsonia has been the biggest improver in the competition this season and is on the hunt for another big scalp as it continues its ascension into a genuine finals contender.
The Saints won just three games throughout 2010-2012, but have already won four this season under playing-coach Lochie Dornauf.
They announced themselves as a serious threat when they comfortably accounted for Thomastown in Round 4, and have since won three of four matches to push into fourth place on the ladder.
They rank third in the competition for points scored per game – thanks largely to the healthy contribution of Jeremy Bennett and Brody Ricardi – while they also rank third for fewest points conceded.
Along with his leadership qualities, Dornauf’s impact on the field has been profound. He has been amongst the best players in close to every game and his absence was sorely missed in his club’s close loss to St Mary’s in Round 6 – their only defeat since April.
This Saturday begins a tough three-week period for the Saints as they take on the top three sides – Reservoir, Panton Hill and Thomastown – in successive weeks. A win over the Mustangs on Saturday could well setup their second half of the season as they push towards a long-awaited finals campaign.
Past Three Meetings
Round 2, 2013: Watsonia 7.7 (49) def by Reservoir 14.10 (94)
Round 16, 2012: Watsonia 3.2 (20) def by Reservoir 7.11 (53)
Round 10, 2012: Reservoir 16.12 (108) def Watsonia 11.8 (74)
