South Morang has ticked off the first thing on its wishlist for the Northern Football League division 3 season.
The Lions, who sit on top of the table after 14 rounds, are guaranteed a finals spot after the 13.15 (93) – 12.7 (79) win over Banyule.
Only a goal separated the two sides for the first three quarters, before the Lions got on top.
Assistant coach Darren Steel said coaching moves in the second half helped to get the win.
“It was wet and slippery,” Steel said.
“Craig [Lambert, senior coach] made a couple of moves and that got us on top.
“He got bigger bodies like Paul Harrison and Luke Shelton into the middle and they were able to get the ball out.
“Shelton is a good player. Our captain [Mitchell] Buckley is another who stepped up.”
As well as having an impact in the middle of the ground, Harrison kicked three goals, Shelton chipped in with two and Steel said Mike Meade was another to stand out.
“He played his first game for the club and went to Scott Gumbleton and did a good job,” he said.
“He has played with North Heidelberg and would have made his debut for us earlier but for missing a lot of training because of work commitments.
“He came back through the reserves and with injuries to [Brent] Howlett and [Mitchell] Hicks we needed a tall defender.”
Steel said the club was hopeful Howlett would return from a dislocated shoulder in time for finals, while Hicks would be back in a couple of weeks.
“We found out last week, if you don’t play 100 per cent you‘ll be beaten so we have to keep focused.
“It’s an even competition and a better standard than previous years, with the likes of Harrison and Gumbleton playing in the competition.”
With finals in the bag, the Lions now have a couple more targets they’d like to tick off.
“The double chance is what we want now,” Steel said.
Beating Epping is another thing the Lions would like to tick off after losing both games to them this season.
“We have done a bit of homework and, hopefully, we will get them,” Steel said.
The Pingers, who had the bye at the weekend, are fourth on the ladder, six points behind the Lions.
