With only one win separating the top six teams, Round 4 of Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 football provides plenty of opportunity for sides to improve their ladder positions.

The biggest highlight of last week’s action came at Lalor Reserve, when Lalor won their first match of the season in an upset triumph over Kilmore. Hayden Hunt kicked the final goal of the game midway through the last term and while the Blues attacked relentlessly late, they could only score a series of behinds.

With winless seasons in 2022 and 2023, the narrow victory broke a 44-game losing streak for the Bloods. Their last win came on May 1st, 2021, against Reservoir at Crispe Park, while their last triumph on their home ground came all the way back in 2019.

The club song was belted out with gusto after the game, with a real buzz of excitement in the rooms. Scott Morrison booted three goals in the win, while Sam Rexhepi kicked two majors. He and Jake Langborne are the only men who played in both the 2021 win and the drought-breaking victory last Saturday.

Some of this season’s recruits also stood out, with Hayden Hunt and Nathan Parkes excelling, while Zac Orr was best for the victors, alongside Nicholas Anastasi, Aaron Tkocz and Moussa Ali.

“To get that result the way we did; it’s going to give us so much more belief going forward,” Lalor coach Lance Whitnall said.

While it was a tough result to take for Kilmore, Ethan Derrick provided a target up forward with three goals. Blues fans should also be buoyed by Bailey Taylor-Egan coming back to form and hitting the scoreboard.

The match between Old Paradians and Fitzroy Stars at Garvey Oval was a tight affair until the Raiders broke away late to record a 22-point victory. The win sees Old Paradians on top with three wins and are now a game clear of a cluster of five sides which includes the Stars, who sit narrowly outside the top five following their first defeat of the season.

Ivanhoe led throughout in their night game against Heidelberg West at Heidelberg Park to win by 24 points in a low-scoring tussle.

Flynn Bergman and Nicholas Geary were standouts for the Hoers, who now go to the Round 4 bye in fourth spot on the ladder.

The Hawks remain winless but seem to be improving week by week. Recruit Liam Wanders had his best game in Heidelberg West colours while Kane Moore, who didn’t pull on the boots in 2023, also had an influence on the match.

Epping hosted Kinglake at Epping Recreation Reserve and broke the game open with a 7.4 to 2.0 second term. Corey Middleton and Jordan Wilkins continued their great starts to the season for the victors, as did Daniel Rakhlin who booted four majors.

Leigh Gilbert played his first game in 2024 for the Lakers and slotted three goals, while Jed Tyrrell and Damian Pywell both impacted the contest positively.

Reservoir took on Mernda at Crispe Park, with the visitors winning by 103 points. The Demons started and finished well, having won the opening quarter by kicking 8.1 to 1.1 and the final term by producing a 7.4 to 1.1 effort.

“It was a workmanlike performance,” Mernda coach Robert Fletcher said.
Fletcher gave a big tick to Dayne Kellett and Joel Harris for their displays throughout the afternoon.

“For the end result to be wins and finals appearances, we need the foundational pillars to be put in place to facilitate long term success,” Reservoir coach Rohan Davies said.

Davies liked the work of Jack Craig-Smith, who earnt seven Coaches MVP Award votes. He also praised Sam Boyd who booted four goals from limited opportunities.

While it was disappointing for Mustang fans to record their first triple figure loss for the season, it was against the team many tip as a top flag hopeful.

With only a win between teams positioned from second to eighth on the ladder, there is a lot of scope for teams to improve their spots this weekend.

Old Eltham Collegians come off the bye to host Lalor at Eltham College. The Turtles would view this as a must-win game as they seek to remain undefeated following two close wins against fellow premiership contenders to start the season.

But the Bloods will have gained great confidence from their breakthrough win and their fans will hope they can take it up to the highly fancied Turtles.

The Fitzroy Stars and Reservoir do battle at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval. The Mustangs would be desperate to finally have a good first term and be in the game at the early break.

Conversely, the Stars were in the game for most of their battle with Old Paradians but dropped away late. They would be looking to finish strongly and would see this as a game they can bounce back in.

Old Paradians make their first trip to J.J. Clancy Reserve to take on Kilmore. Despite it being a match between first and seventh, it’s an intriguing battle full of interest.

Ben Turner’s men haven’t put a foot wrong in their 3-0 start and should go into the game full of confidence.

The Blues will want to atone after being stung by last week’s shock loss and if they can secure what would be an upset win, they will be 2-1 and right back in the hunt.

Heidelberg West welcomes Kinglake to Heidelberg Park for a crucial clash. Both teams are winless and will be determined to claim their first victory of the season.

Laker fans watched their team win five straight to begin 2023 and go on to play finals. A confidence-boosting victory would be ideal for David Florance’s team, ahead of a tough run coming up which includes games against Old Eltham Collegians, Mernda and Old Paradians, so a win would be seen as vital.

The Hawks have a slightly easier set of games coming up, but at 0-3 they urgently need to kick-start their season. If they could pull off what many would see as an upset win this weekend, they could go to the mid-year bye within striking distance of finals action.

The only match between these combatants at this venue occurred late last season. The Lakers had a finals spot sewn up and rested some players and Heidelberg West kept their slim finals hopes alive with a tenacious 12-point triumph. Based on that and given the urgency of the situation for both clubs, a tense tussle looms.

Mernda and Epping clash at Waterview Recreation Reserve in a game that could have implications for the double chance, even this early in the season. The Demons currently sit in third spot on the table, with the Blues in fifth, however both teams share the same 2-1 record.

It’s an enthralling match-up between a team which narrowly lost last year’s grand final and a team looking revitalised after dropping back from Division 2. Both outfits have registered two impressive wins and a narrow loss to the Turtles.

Based on the clashes with Old Eltham Collegians, fans could be in for a thriller. The home ground advantage is a plus for the Demons, especially as the Blues have not played at the venue for several years.

With star-studded line-ups and good depth in both camps, it should make for an entertaining encounter.

By Doug Long