By Matt Fotia
We’re back again for another crack at getting the 2021 season done and Division Two, Three and Four got us underway once more this weekend and didn’t disappoint.
There was an action packed Division Three weekend which began sorting out the men from the boys, a massive win from Silvan which bought them back into the finals race and a mature performance from Heathmont which still left plenty of room for improvement.
Check it out in this week’s In and Under.
Need for Speed
Heathmont were able to avoid another last gasp loss to South Belgrave on Saturday, steadying themselves after a wobbly start to the fourth quarter to hold off the injury riddled Saints by 18 points, thanks mainly due to a five goal to none third term, locking away their finals spot for 2021 in the process.
The Jets seem intent on being a side that is measured when coming out of their back half, keen to rack up the uncontested marks and pull their opposition apart with incisive and accurate ball movement, a methodical and strong theory.
Theory is one thing, but reality is another, and for majority of the first and third quarters – when they were kicking with a very healthy breeze – the Jets were racking up the uncontested marks without making any threatening moves forward, with their deepest defenders passing the ball amongst themselves much like centre backs in the dying stages of a dead rubber World Cup Group match, with South Belgrave content to sit back and limit the damage.
When Heathmont did eventually look to move forward they more often than not turned the ball over, with their defenders lacking the pinpoint accuracy that’s required to pull off this go slow ball retention game style. This meaningless recycling of possession happened when the Jets lost to Ringwood just over a month ago and it’s something they should be wary of when the finals do roll around and the strength of their opponents defensive structure rises with the occasion.
The Jets look much better – almost premiership worthy – when they get less careful with their ball movement and take risks, something Wade Van Leeuwen did brilliantly on the weekend and Joel Burleigh can do when allowed and encouraged.
Each time the Heathmont number 28 got his hands on the ball he immediately looked to take whatever space was in front of him and got the ball moving forwards, often running his full measure before launching a long penetrative ball forwards. By breaking the lines he was able to catch the South Belgrave defence – which was impressive until the time on in the third – on the hop giving Bajramov, Brown and co reasons to smile.
Whilst the optics weren’t what coach Nick Rutley would have dreamt up in his mind, Van Leeuwen’s chaotic line breaking approach creates opportunities that suit the profile of the Jets forward line.
And with Bajramov, Brown, Campbell Evans and Jed Hansen all down there, quicker, carefree ball movement can only be a good thing for the Jets and their Premiership aspirations.
2. Push coming to shove
Push came to shove in Division Three on the weekend and a number of sides came away from Saturday’s action with a clearer picture of what lays in store for them in the short and long term future.
Heading into the weekend there was plenty to play for in the competition’s most even division.
Almost nothing separated second on the ladder from sixth, whilst Glen Waverley and Whitehorse were nervously looking over their shoulder after Fairpark’s first win prior to the lockdown.
Coming out of the weekend the finals race seems a little clearer, with East Burwood and Donvale taking big strides towards locking in a spot in the final four.
East Burwood in particular made a real statement with a seven goal win over the ladder leaders Warrandyte with the ever consistent trio of Jason Kennedy, Matt Mariani and Max Wills their best as the Rams dominated the contest from go to woe.
East Burwood still have a tougher run home than Donvale though, with the Magpies taking on both Fairpark and Whitehorse in their final three weeks, looking assured of a finals spot, especially after Scoresby’s shock loss.
The Magpies are all about done in 2021 after giving up a six goal quarter time lead to go down by 18 points to Whitehorse, who have gone a long way to securing their place in Division Three for 2022 with that win.
The Pioneers – who have two of the top five goalkickers in the division despite struggling offensively – take on Glen Waverley next week and will like their chances of making it back to back wins as they look to take momentum into the off-season.
Spare a thought for Ferntree Gully, who sitting in fifth, watched it all unfold from afar.
Whilst their equation doesn’t really change for the Eagles, they would’ve liked Warrandyte to do them a bit more of a favour.
3. Shootout – again
Somehow Silvan are back in the box seat to make the Division Four finals, but their new found path to the final four will bring back some unwanted memories from 2019’s failed campaign.
The Cats made it two wins from two attempts against Forest Hill on the weekend, the 53 point win a return to their best football, with Leigh Kimpton booting five and experienced pair Trent Georgiou and Warren Schmidt the best of the lot as they demolished the disappointing Zebras.
Silvan have benefitted the most from the slightly readjusted fixture, with the Cats now left with three very winnable games to come against Croydon North MLOC – twice – and Kilsyth, whilst the current finals incumbent Chirnside Park play Surrey Park in between fixtures with Nunawading.
If the Panthers (Chirnside Park) can score a win against their namesakes from the Inner East (Surrey Park), they’ll hold onto fourth spot regardless of what Silvan do.
But, if results go as the ladder predicts, both sides will end the year on eight wins and it’ll become a good old fashioned shootout in the last round, as the two sides race for the finish line.
This should favour Silvan, who have a 15% head-start and host more attacking weapons – Kimpton 36 goals, Lynch 23, Low 22 – but memories of 2019’s near miss will haunt Trent Martin’s men until the final siren.