Just four points separate teams from first to fifth ahead of another massive Saturday of Northern Football League Division 3 action.
It follows a weekend where big wins were the order of the day. Kinglake flew out of the blocks and then went on to control the game as they defeated Mernda by 36 points in a high-scoring encounter at Kinglake Memorial Oval, colloquially known as the ‘Kingdome.’
The Lakers are the only team at 3-0 while Mernda heads to the bye with a loss, but the Demons are still well placed to push into the top four following the break when their two wins to begin the campaign are taken into account.
Heidelberg West remains undefeated in their two games following a 174-point win over Reservoir at Crispe Park.
Alex Hywood kicked 8 majors and was named best in the Hawks’ win, while recruit Daniel Kelly continued his hot start to the season.
“Our focus for this season is to be better each week,” Heidelberg West coach Michael Missen said.
Missen also had plenty of praise for the ruckwork of Lachlan Evans.
The Mustangs started well with two first-quarter goals but were unable to build on their early work.
“We just have to learn to play under the pressure of senior footy,” Reservoir coach Justin George said.
Tom Dunn was influential for the Mustangs, while Rob Holland and William Parrello contributed well.
George also noted that the reserves were just a goal down early in the last quarter, so there are players pushing up to play senior football.
Laurimar recorded a 207-point win over Lalor at Laurimar Reserve. Co-captains Luke Wilson and Mitch Thompson led from the front. The goals were shared around with 14 Power players hitting the scoreboard, with Micah Vecchio booting six majors in his best effort for the year.
The Bloods were unable to match it with Laurimar but were most competitive in the second and third terms. Aaron James Tkocz was their best and got on the scoreboard also.
When the ‘out’ for the Fitzroy Stars came out on Friday, it included Allan Norris and Coree Thorpe who had excelled the week prior. Add to that Peter Hood, and the Stars had a huge challenge when travelling to Eltham College to take on Old Eltham Collegians.
The Turtles drew away to win by 69 points and displayed the sort of form that made them a flag threat in 2022.
“We’re happy with the way we set up and we played the game style we want to play,” Old Eltham Collegians coach Matt Sleeman said.
“We now look forward to the next few weeks.”
Matthew Williamson and Nick Milne each kicked 4 goals, while Sleeman was impressed with his ruck duo of Matthew Quinton and Michael Jacobson.
The undermanned Stars strung three consecutive goals together early but struggled late in the game.
“We’re focusing on bringing the enjoyment back to playing footy,” Fitzroy Stars coach Lionel Proctor said.
Proctor lauded the efforts of his on-ballers Jai Burns and Djye Thorpe-Morgan.
The Round 3 results produced a logjam of teams with two wins in Heidelberg West, Old Eltham Collegians, Laurimar and Mernda. As such, the results in the upcoming round are likely to cause significant movement in ladder positions.
Laurimar makes its first trip to Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval to take on the Fitzroy Stars. The Power began the season as flag favourites in the eyes of many pundits and would be looking for a win to strengthen their position within the top four.
A Stars win would be considered a surprise, but Mernda did upset Laurimar two weeks earlier. If Lionel Proctor’s team can prevail on their home deck, they will be on the cusp of the top four themselves and level with Laurimar in terms of wins, so the motivation will be high for both combatants.
Kilmore and Reservoir will both be looking to open their accounts when facing off at J.J. Clancy Reserve.
Kilmore will be strong favourites to win, while Reservoir will be looking to bridge the gap on the most recent four-quarter game at this venue. That game resulted in a 171-point win to the Blues in round 13 last year and the Mustangs were goalless back then, so their fans will be looking for the team to be more productive in attack this time.
Lalor and Kinglake play at Lalor Reserve. With teams at the opposite ends of the ladder, the Lakers would be the strongest of favourites to remain unbeaten for the season in this encounter. Bloods fans will look to see improvement in their young list as the rebuild continues.
It has been a tough start for both Lalor and Reservoir this year. Both would have had their focus on bridging the gap on the next team above them in 2022 which was Mernda. However, the Demons surprised in beginning the year with back-to-back wins over 2022 finalists.
But each team can work on honing their skills as they head towards their Round 6 clash at Crispe Park.
Heidelberg West hosts Old Eltham Collegians at Heidelberg Park in what looks to be an intriguing match-up. These teams have had some fascinating clashes of late.
The Hawks won both trips to Eltham College last season including a Round 18 victory which saw them narrowly miss finals. But the Turtles won a thriller in Round 3 at Heidelberg Park by the narrowest of margins.
Both teams have tough schedules to follow after this week. Heidelberg West faces Kilmore in Round 5 and then Laurimar, Mernda and Kinglake to take them to the mid-season break.
Old Eltham Collegians will do battle with Laurimar in Round 5 and then Kinglake before having a Round 6 bye.
With both teams eyeing a finals berth and having challenging upcoming schedules, this clash will be vital for each team and will be a highly anticipated match-up.
