THE Northern Football Netball League division 3 finals get underway this week, with two traditional rivals meeting, while South Morang and Whittlesea continue its recent good run of form in division 2.
Mernda will play Laurimar in the first week of finals at Lalor Reserve on Saturday, but the Demons had a setback by losing to Kilmore after leading by as much as 34 points at JJ Clancy Reserve.
The Demons got off to a good enough start, leading 24-14 at quarter time, then kicking five of the first six of the second to extend the margin.
But Kilmore then rattled off nine of the next 10 goals to flip the script completely, including five goals in a 15-minute burst, to take a 15-point lead going into the final change, 79-64.
The Demons kicked two goals in the last, but it was too little, too late as the Blues won 15.9 (99) to 11.13 (79).
Christian Evans, Jesse Guelfo, Joshua Caputo, Beau Moorcroft, Jayden Bell and Jett Philips were all named in the best for Mernda.
Laurimar, for its part, had the bye this weekend.
In division two, South Morang have taken top spot on the ladder at the perfect time of the year, and now only needs to beat Macleod this week to confirm the week off, winning against Panton Hill by 35 points – relegating the Redbacks to division 3 in the process.
Six goals to two in the second quarter was largely the difference as the Lions kept the Redbacks at arms’ length throughout the afternoon after quarter time, leading by 33 points at the main break, 34 at the final change and eventually winning 17.16 (118) to 13.5 (83).
Ben Peterson had a good day in front of goal, kicking five majors, while Tyson Gresham, Bailey Brown, Nathan Stefanile, Ben Power and Cayden Failla also had a good afternoon’s work.
The match against Macleod looms as an early finals preview for the Lions, with Macleod fighting desperately to keep its season alive.
Whittlesea are still alive – but will require a favour from the Lions, as well as Old Paradians, while beating finals-bound St Mary’s in the last round to get into the finals at the very last gasp.
However, results such as the Eagles’ 53-point victory over Northcote Park certainly does not hurt.
After a proppy start, the Eagles started to kick into gear against a weakened Northcote Park lineup in the second term, kicking four goals to one to open up a 23-point break at half time, before extending the margin to 37 points by adding another five goals to three.
Whittlesea finished full of running, kicking three goals to one to run out 13.18 (96) to 6.7 (43) winners.
Taidhg Bland has been a much-needed return to the lineup in recent weeks, and was best on ground in the win, while Bailey Robinson continues to be a constant in the best. Mitchell Andrews, Riley Powell, Justin Chambers Jones and Cruz Young completed the best players for Whittlesea.
The simplest equation for Whittlesea means it must beat St Mary’s, rely on Old Paradians to beat Fitzroy Stars and South Morang to beat Macleod, and the Eagles are in.