Old Eltham Collegians made it back to back wins in Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 after holding on to prevail by the smallest of margins over Heidelberg West.
The Turtles led virtually from pillar to post and established a handy lead on more than one occasion – only to have the Hawks charge back into the contest each time. The game-high lead was 26-points in the second term, but three goals in quick succession by Heidelberg West reduced the deficit to 9-points at the main break and set the game up for a close tussle.
Prior to the Hawk surge just before half time, Old Eltham Collegians had controlled the quarter but weren’t able to find the big sticks.
It was a similar story for Heidelberg West in the third quarter. The Hawks won the inside fifties 16 to 8 and could have led at the last break, but booted a wasteful 2.7 to 2.3 for the term.
Nonetheless, the margin was narrowed to a manageable five-points as the final quarter began. But the Turtles kicked the first major for the quarter, as they had done in the first three terms, and snuck away to what appeared to be a match-winning lead of 17-points early on.
But, just like in the second stanza, Heidelberg West rallied hard and kicked the final three goals of the match. The two behinds that Old Eltham Collegians scored in that time saw them cling on for a 9.11 (65) to 9.10 (64) triumph.
There was no score for the final few minutes as the Hawks desperately sought an avenue to goal, but were denied by determined defence from the Turtles.
Cool heads for Old Eltham Collegians soaked up some seconds on the clock as every kick, mark, handpass and tackle became vital. The final siren was agony for Hawk fans, but joy the Turtles, who recorded their maiden victory at Heidelberg Park.
“We’d never won here, we had a few players out and it was a character-building win”, said a relieved coach Matt Sleeman.
Sleeman gave a tick to Tom Rogers who had a good battle with Hawk Louis Hill. He also had praise for wingman Benjamin Cox and defender Niall McDonagh.
Tim Ellis also assisted in the backline, while Tom Cleary and Sebastian Francis-Perkins contributed to the win.
Heidelberg West fans would be thinking of how the game was lost – an errant kick, a one-on-one contest which could’ve been won or missed shots at goal in the third term.
“There were two good teams having a red hot go on Anzac Day weekend”, said Heidelberg West coach Michael Missen. “We came out on the wrong side of the ledger.”
Missen liked the work of Louis Hill in midfield and Brad Moore off half-back.
Ryan Offer and Harley Modzierz shared the ruck duties. They gave away height to Mathew Crooks, but had the ground-level skills to make good contributions. Offer also went forward to boot two goals but Nicholas Paton was the most dangerous forward on the ground and finished with three majors.
With these two teams looking likely to fight it out for fourth spot in the eyes of many pundits, the narrow result away from home was a huge tick for Old Eltham Collegians, as it keeps them in the top four and relegates their opponents to fifth.
However, it’s only the end of round 3 and it’s a marathon, not a sprint. With both teams showing this season that they are close to the top three sides, wins against South Morang, Laurimar and Kilmore later this season may also come into play.
They won’t have to wait long for these challenges. Next up for Heidelberg West is a trip to J.J. Clancy Reserve to take on Kilmore, while Old Eltham Collegians return home to Eltham College to clash with Laurimar
