By Arian Odza
Montrose secured their third win of the 2021 Division One season on Saturday, with an at times stagnant but committed performance against the winless Kings, 9.7(61) to 6.11(47).
The Demons demanded a high intensity that impacted the scoreboard specifically in the third term and much of the second half.
The defensive effort of the Demons was dominant being able to restrict the Kings to just two goals after the second quarter. The game plan was enough to sustain the four quarters as the Demons secured their third win of the season ensuring that contention for finals is a still well within reach.
The Demons were the victors off the back of some efficient work in front of goal, whereas the Kings will be ruing missed chances.
The first term ended scoreless for both sides ensuring that the tight matchup was going to end up being a close one.
The Demons were unable to run away with the match as the Kings stuck at it dominating parts of the second quarter, however in the fourth quarter the Demons were simply too good with kicking efficiency and managed four goals after half time, double the amount of goals the Kings were able to achieve.
As the match went on, Beau Tennant, Jordan Bastinac and Mitchell Davis were able to be an attacking threat and ensured that the tightknit defence of the Kings were in need of support as the intensity increased.
The win puts the Demons sixth on the ladder, four points behind fourth placed Mooroolbark.
Senior coach Peter Bastinac explains that the win is significant as it increased confidence for the side before their matchup with the dominant Croydon outfit that put Mooroolbark to the sword last weekend.
“We’re a very young group, so every win is vital to our development, so after a tough win and very tough conditions, (I was) very happy.”
When speaking about the Demons key goal kicker Mitchell Davis, Bastinac said, “he had a bit of a quiet day over the weekend, but he has been very important for us when he is up and going,” before going on to praise the work of son Jordan and Brad Watson.
“Jordan has been very consistent throughout the year and Brad Watson is a young player, up from the under 19’s, he’s showing really good signs and maturity for his age so really happy with him and (Benjamin) Dessent who is our other midfielder is having a really consistent season as well.”
Montrose have been up and down this season, with unconvincing wins over Lilydale and Upper Ferntree Gully in recent weeks, to go with losses to Park Orchards and Wantirna South.
Despite this, they remain in the hunt for finals and are keen to test themselves against the competition benchmark in Croydon this weekend.
“It’s going to be a challenge because they’re in red hot form at the moment, they have a pretty strong squad so we will do some homework and see how we go.”