BUNDOORA, VIC. (NFNL HQ). — Round 9 of the Northern Football Netball League’s Division 3 football marked the time in the season when each team had played eight games and the halfway point of the season.
Reservoir took on Epping at Crispe Park with the fifth spot on the table up for grabs. The Mustangs won all four quarters narrowly and looked like sure winners, but put their foot down in the latter stages of the contest. The 23-point win made it two from two for Reservoir coach Joe Palazzolo.
“These are the games we need to win if we aim to play finals, and the boys responded with a four-quarter effort,” Palazzolo said.
He praised the performance of ex-AFL player Michael Hurley, who booted seven majors, then went behind the ball late and was influential. Joshua Grabowski and Justin Taylor also performed at a high level for the Mustangs, while another ex-AFL player in Bachar Houli did well off half-back. The Mustangs are now a game and percentage ahead of the Blues.
“We’ve got to keep working hard,” Epping coach Brad Hollow said. He noted that Brent Macaffer had his best game for the season, while Leigh Judd, Archer Bugden, Josh Bawden and Corey Middleton also contributed significantly.
RESERVOIR: 3.4 7.9 11.12 16.14 (110)
GOALS: Michael Hurley 7, Nayef Hamad 3, Dean Jeffrey 2, Nicholas Milliaresis 2, Joshua Grabowski, (Private player).
BEST: Michael Hurley, Joshua Grabowski, Nayef Hamad, James Tadd, Justin Taylor, (Private player).
EPPING: 2.3 5.5 8.8 13.9 (87)
GOALS: Daniel Rakhlin 4, Jordan Wilkins 2, Joshua Bawden, Xavier Bazzano, Kaiden Burns, Adrian Dintinosante, Jude Georgievski, Todd Hughes, Jake Perry.
BEST: Brent Macaffer, Leigh Judd, Corey Middleton, Joshua Bawden, Jake Perry, Archer Bugden.
Lalor and Heidelberg West faced off at Lalor Reserve in a high-scoring affair. The Hawks jumped out of the blocks with four goals in six minutes and didn’t look like backing down, prevailing by 79 points.
Bryce Barnes booted seven goals and Waylon Davey six in the win, while Hayden Bolzon, Blake Charles and Ryan Offer each kicked two, with Offer also giving Mitch Antonello a chop out in the ruck. They also had a winning centre line led by James Condello and Michael Italia.
Although the Bloods couldn’t restrict the Hawks’ forwards, they managed to score regularly themselves after half-time. After trailing by 66 points at the main break, they managed to concede only 13 points in the second half.
Sam Rexhepi slotted four majors, while Shannon Smith kicked three. Tristain Harrower kicked two goals in his first senior game since Round 3.
LALOR: 1.1 3.1 8.5 11.7 (73)
GOALS: Sam Rexhepi 4, Shannon Smith 3, Tristain Harrower 2, Hayden Chapman, Lenny Coco,
BEST: Sam Rexhepi, Shannon Smith, Alex Dao, Hayden Hunt, Harrison Hasouras, Tristain Harrower.
HEIDELBERG WEST: 5.3 13.7 20.12 23.14 (152)
GOALS: Bryce Barnes 7, Waylon Davey 6, Hayden Bolzon 2, Blake Charles 2, Ryan Offer 2, Will Bruce, James Condello, Max Post, Jack Prosser.
BEST: James Condello, Bryce Barnes, Waylon Davey, Michael Italia, Mitchell Antonello, Hayden Bolzon.
Mernda celebrated Brent Marshall’s 300th game with a 57-point win over Kilmore at Waterview Reserve. Marshall was among his team’s best players in the game and kicked two goals, his best result for the season to date.
The Blues led by nine points at the first break and were efficient in pushing their opponents wide, but the Demons took control with seven unanswered goals in the second term, finishing the job after that. Christian “Billy” Evans kicked three goals and was among the best.
“We were outplayed and outworked in vital moments of the game, which proved costly,” Kilmore coach Mick Marrett said.
Marrett named captain Chris Barton as their best, with his willingness to put his head over the ball and show the qualities of a captain.
Mason Lacorcia came back into the side for Kilmore after playing in Round 1. He was named in the best in both games, but this hit-out was the first time he’s played in the same team as brothers Max and Marcus. The Blues also had teenager Lucas Chesswas’ debut for the side.
MERNDA: 1.5 8.9 13.14 18.20 (128)
GOALS: Christian Evans 3, Andre Gill-Haimowich 2, Emile Gill-Haimowich 2, Kyle Green 2, Brent Marshall 2, Jake Bennett, Joshua Caputo, Lincoln Coffey, Josh Mazzarella, Billy Morrison, Jett Phillips, James Sekulovski, Bradyn Thomsett.
BEST: Brent Marshall, Christian Evans, Josh Mazzarella, Bradyn Thomsett, Jake Bennett, Billy Morrison.
KILMORE: 3.2 4.4 7.7 10.11 (71)
GOALS: Chris Barton 2, Katlan Cooke 2, Lucas Chesswas, Emmett Clark, Joshua Coe, Jared Crosbie, Lachlan Peggie, Liam Salter.
BEST: Chris Barton, Liam Salter, Marcus Lacorica, Lucas Chesswas, Max Lehner, Mason Lacorcia.
Ivanhoe made its first-ever trip to Binnak Park to play Watsonia, with the visiting team being warm favourites.
It was the Saints who had a flying start with four goals in just over six minutes. The Hoers eventually settled into the game and kicked the final five majors of the term to lead by 8 points at the break. They extended the lead to 33 points at halftime, maintaining their lead for the majority of the game.
Watsonia wasn’t done, though, and brilliant efforts by Seb Tarczon lifted his team. In one of the plays of the day, he received the ball at half back, took six bounces along the outer wing, ran inside fifty and slotted a goal at the 23-minute mark of the third term, to slot his third of the afternoon.
Teammate Jai Bartzis soon kicked another, quickly followed by Campbell Ritchie, who slotted to make it just a 16-point deficit at the last change. Ivanhoe was able to steady in the final term to secure a 29-point win and go into their bye with an undefeated start to their season. Regardless of the margin, the Saints pushed them closer than any team for the season.
“I’m proud of our young fellas and all 22 contributed,” Watsonia coach Anthony McGregor said.
McGregor loved the work of Northern Knights player Jamison Leeson, who kicked two goals, and loved the contribution of Luke Lowry and Jai Bartzis.
While some Ivanhoe fans may have expected a more dominant performance, their coach Wayne Schultz was happy to come away with the win.
“To go to the bye undefeated is a mighty effort and I’m proud of everyone at the club,” he said.
“If someone had told me before the season that we would be 8-0 at this stage, I would’ve thought they’re kidding themselves.”
Schultz was pleased with Oscar McIntyre, who played in the ruck and forward. He also noted the decision-making of Connor O’Brien on the wing. Regular high-performing inside midfielder Kane Veliou also got a tick from the coach.
WATSONIA: 4.1 5.3 10.4 10.8 (68)
GOALS: Jai Bartzis 4, Jai Bartzis 3, Jamison Leeson 2, Campbell Ritchie.
BEST: Jamison Leeson, Luke Lowry, Seb Tarczon, Jai Bartzis, Mason Grech, Owen Davidson.
IVANHOE: 5.3 10.6 12.8 14.13 (97)
GOALS: Patrik Della Rocca 3, Tom Hallebone 2, Charles Robinson 2, Tristan Stead 2, Josh Hogan, Joel Kleiman, Xavier Mitchell, Marcus Rogers, Liam Ward.
BEST: Kane Veliou, Oscar McIntyre, Riley Loton, Patrik Della Rocca, Tom Hallebone, Tristan Stead.
Ivanhoe goes into their bye week a game and percentage clear on top, with Laurimar in second spot with seven victories. They’ve been joined by Mernda, who are also 7-1. There’s a two-game gap between Mernda and Watsonia, separating third and fourth, with Reservoir following in fifth.
Epping, Heidelberg West, Kilmore and Old Eltham Collegians all sit a game and percentage behind the Mustangs. For these five sides, every game is critical as they play for the finals action.
