Mernda claimed their fifth win of the 2023 Northern Football Netball League Division 3 season, following a convincing 33-point victory over Heidelberg West at Heidelberg Park.
The 14.11 (95) to 8.14 (62) win moves the Mernda Demons into the second spot on the table, eight points clear of fifth place, and it appears that a long finals drought dating back to 2013 may be coming to an end.
It was an even first half with Mernda leading by eight points at the break. The Hawks looked to have had the better of things in general play early, but missed shots and missed targets meant that they didn’t take the full toll of their periods of dominance.
Heidelberg West booted the opening goal of the third term, and the local fans were hoping that their team was about to run over the Demons. But Mernda scored the next four majors of the match to push their advantage out to 29 points.
After a late goal by Alex Hywood, the Hawks had given themselves a glimmer of hope as they faced a 22-point deficit at the last break.
Demon fans would’ve had memories of the 2022 game at the same venue. On that day, their team led by 17 points at three-quarter time, but the Hawks stormed home in the final term to win by nine points.
Mernda coach Robert Fletcher was confident at the last break, telling his players to be smart going forward and to slow the game down as needed. He reminded his team of the loss the previous year and urged his men to get the first goal of the quarter.
But Heidelberg West would hit the scoreboard first thanks to Hywood, who produced his fourth of the afternoon.
With the margin at 16 points and with plenty of time on the clock, the Hawks were in with a chance. But a goal a few minutes later by Demon Christopher Roussos made the task difficult again, and late majors to Bryce Kimuliatis and Christian Evans secured a 33-point triumph.
“It was a workmanlike effort today,” Mernda coach Robert Fletcher said.
Fletcher praised the work of Nathan Baccega in the midfield as well as Daniel Smith who was a target up forward. Smith finished with three majors in an impressive display.
Riley Vincent led a solid defence and stood out for his spoiling and smothering work. Matthew Golledge’s clearance-winning ability and good use of the football helped his team drive the ball forward, while Matthew Bawden chipped in with two goals. Jayden Bell also made the most of his opportunities with three majors.
It was a disappointing day for Hawks fans to see their team slip from a 3-0 start to lose three in a row.
“The effort was there, but we weren’t able to capitalise on our chances when they presented,” Heidelberg West coach Michael Missen said.
Missen liked Daniel Kelly’s effort at the coalface as he worked well with an unlikely companion in the centre square in Jordan Allen. Normally a wingman, Allen went into the middle in the absence of Louis Hill and other unavailable midfielders and acquitted himself well.
Billy Wright is beginning to run into form after missing a lot of matches through injury over the past 12 months, while Lachlan Evans stood out with his bullocking work.
Assisting Hywood up forward was Alex Williamson who booted three goals, including a great one on the quarter-time siren. Dane Dimitrovic was a useful linkman and Michael Adams showed some good signs.
The loss drops the Hawks out of the top four on percentage with a tough game against Kinglake at Kinglake Memorial Reserve to follow prior to the bye. They will aim to be the first team all season to defeat the Lakers at that venue.
SENIORS
HEIDELBERG WEST: 2.7 4.9 6.11 8.14 (62)
GOALS: Alex Hywood 4, Alex Williamson 3, Allan Young.
BEST: Daniel Kelly, Alex Williamson, Jordan Allen, Dane Dmitrovic, Lachlan Evans, Billy Wright.
MERNDA: 4.2 6.5 10.9 14.11 (95)
GOALS: Daniel Smith 3, Jayden Bell 3, Bryce Kimuliatis 2, Matthew Bawden 2, Christian Evans, Christopher Roussos, William Crouch, Joel Harris.
BEST: Matthew Golledge, Nathan Baccega, Daniel Smith, Riley Vincent, Matthew Bawden, Shannon Bennett.
RESERVES
HEIDELBERG WEST: 1.1 4.3 7.7 7.8 (50)
GOALS: Dylan Scott 3, Jonah Taylor 2, Daniel Francis, Jackson Haglund.
BEST: Brae Naggs-Ferguson, Aaron Smith, Stefan Condello, Kyan Watson, Wyatt Le Gassick, Christopher Davies.
MERNDA: 4.3 5.3 7.5 12.7 (79)
GOALS: Lachlan Taylor 2, Ryan Taylor 2, Jonathan Maiolo 2, Nicholas Eades, Matthew Siciliano, Liam Briant, Bradley Colliss, Christian Cawsey, Neeson Cook.
BEST: Neeson Cook, Marcus Saddington, Micheal Aparo, Luke Furci, Nichols Eades, Bradley Colliss.
UNDER 19
BANYULE/HEIDELBERG WEST: 2.1 3.3 5.4 6.5 (41)
GOALS: Keanu Ana, Nicholas Rhead, Ricky Raffaelli, Benjamin Goldie, Damian Giosserano, Benjamin Acosta-Vignale.
BEST: Ty Kelly, Fraser Harris, Lachlan Mountford, Connor Camilleri, Jordan Abbott, Joshua Camilleri.
MERNDA: 2.4 5.6 7.10 8.11 (59)
GOALS: Jackson Armstrong 4, Andre Gill-Haimowich 2, Ethan Sprakel, Liam Plunkett.
BEST: Ethan Ross, Ethan Sprakel, Liam Plunkett, Micheal Edwards, Zane Gibson, Jackson Armstrong.
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