Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 Preview – Round 7


Published on Thursday, May 25, 2017

Author : Doug Long

A look at the Round 7 matches in Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3.

Laurimar grabbed its first ever win in its maiden NFL senior season when it downed Mernda by 20 points at Laurimar Reserve in Round 6 action of Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3.

After a close first half, the Power made the decisive move with a five-goal third term, before an even final stanza saw them celebrate a meritorious win. The victory was made more special considering they lost their previous match by 149 points to St Mary’s.

“For the first time, we ran out four quarters. Everybody sacrificed for the team,” a proud coach Wayne Sharkie said after securing the huge upset.

Captain Adam Dennis played in defence, while vice-captain Leigh Murphy led the young midfielders. Regulars Jackson Lewis and Cody Cullinan both returned to the line-up after missing the previous round and contributed strongly, while Dale Piggott booted a bag of six.

It was a shock loss for the Demons who now find themselves a game and percentage outside the top-four. One bright note was the form of first-gamer Josh Nixon who slotted three majors and was among the best. Nixon kicked 128 goals for Kinglake over the past two years.

Banyule got off to a flyer against Kilmore at J.J. Clancy Reserve to lead by 44 points at the first break. From then on the Blues fought back without looking like winning – eventually going down by 22 points.

James Kroussoratis continued his good form from the representative match with six goals for the Bears, with support from Sean Downes who kicked three majors. Meanwhile, Jaxson Kinnear continued his stellar form for Kilmore.

St Mary’s showed that it is a force to be reckoned with after disposing of Heidelberg West at Heidelberg Park to the tune of 63 points. The result saw the Burra jump into third place on the ladder, while the Hawks slipped to fifth.

The Burra’s 28-point lead at the last break was probably enough to ensure the win, but they put the icing on the cake with a 9.1 to 3.2 final term, with James Boarotto and Joel Buckley contributing heavily to the win.

South Morang’s first game under new coach Gary Hall resulted in a 180-point win over bottom-placed Reservoir at Mill Park Lakes Reserve, with the Mustangs held scoreless in the second half of the match.

Like St Mary’s, the Lions also booted nine majors in the final quarter. Daniel Caruso scored his best haul of goals with six, while both Brad Kinnane and Raafat Rachrache each scored five.

Dylan Potter scored two majors for the Mustangs from limited opportunities and was his side’s best player alongside Josh Alexander.

Round 7 is the second of a block of three games wedged between the representative bye and the Queen’s Birthday break.

Epping plays its first game since early May when it comes off the bye to host Heidelberg West at Epping Recreation Reserve.

Based on recent form, the Blues will be favoured to win and they defeated Heidelberg West by over 100 points in both 2016 encounters, albeit against a much different Hawks’ outfit.

The Hawks disappointed last weekend, but may have benefited from the run against St Mary’s after their extended break. The Blues need to win to keep the Hawks from displacing them in the top four.

Top placed Banyule hosts winless Reservoir at R.J. Brockwell Oval in what is expected to be a lopsided contest.

The teams have only met four times – for a 2-2 record, however the Bears were 123-point winners when the sides met in Round 1.

South Morang’s second match under new coach Gary Hall is a tougher test than week one, but the Lions would still be favoured to defeat close neighbour Mernda when the teams face off in a vital game at Waterview Recreation Reserve.

After last week’s shock loss, this game is critical for the Demons. They will fall two games outside the top four unless they can spring an upset.

St Mary’s will be looking to keep its winning run, currently at three games, going when hosting Kilmore at Whatmough Park.

The last time these teams played resulted in a 142-point win to St Mary’s. But it was the final round of the 2016 season and Kilmore had probably “played their grand final” in defeating Heidelberg West the previous week, while the Burra needed a percentage boost to play finals.

Nonetheless, St Mary’s is likely to be tipped to win this one and firm up a finals claim. But the Blues would leapfrog the Burra if they can follow up their good form from the final three quarters against Banyule and record a win.

Laurimar enjoys the week off following its breakthrough win.

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