Tara Murray
Laurimar will take some valuable lessons from its win against Mernda in the Northern Football League division 3.
In the scorebook it will show the Power with a comfortable 15.13 (103)-8.2 (50), the Power was pushed in the third quarter.
The Power had been in front by 52 points at half time, but were outscored by the Demons in the third quarter, three goals to one.
Power coach Jimmy Atkins said it was good to have a game like this ahead of finals.
“We were wonderful in the first half,” he said. “The effort was there and so was the pressure.
“The second half we dropped off a bit and allowed them to get back into the game. We were able to get things back going in the last.
“To get challenged in the third quarter and to respond was good, but that match showed you can not be off for five or 10 minutes.
“You’ll lose finals doing that.”
Jacson Cecil kicked four goals, while Bradley Deed kicked three goals.
Kaiden Arthur and Nathan Andrews were the Power’s best. For the Demons, Ryan Bongetti kicked four goals, while Riley Vincent was named their best.
The win keeps the Power on top of the ladder, percentage ahead of South Morang.
Atkins said the side were aiming at a top two pot.
“It’s a close top four and every game is really like a finals game for everyone,” he said. “We need to have effort and consistency, which was good yesterday.
“The week before we didn’t have that. We have to play our best footy and hopefully have our best side on the park the next few weeks.”
Atkins said they would get a few guys back in the next couple of weeks, but he said they didn’t focus on who was and wasn’t available.
He said there was plenty of depth across the club.
“The next person in plays a role,” he said. “The seniors are on top, the seconds are second and the under-19s are second.
“We have enough talent to get a good side on the park every week.”
The Power this week face Kilmore, which sits fourth.
Atkins said it would be a good challenge for them.
The loss has Mernda sitting in sixth spot.
In other results, South Morang continued to put the pressure on Laurimar, beating Heidelberg West.
The Hawks started the better of the two teams and led by 19 points at quarter time. The Lions hit back in the second quarter and led by 16 points at half time.
The margin remained the same at three quarter time. The Lions dominated the last quarter to seal the 13.9 (87)-9.3 (57) win.
Aaron Lazaric was the Lions best.
The win less Lalor was beaten by Kilmore, 26.24 (180)-3.5 (23).
It was all single goal kickers for the Bloods,
Jonathan Mccumber-Kelly and Daniel Ray were named their best.
The Old Eltham Collegians beat Reservoir in the other game.
