Laurimar ends South Morang’s undefeated start to NFL Division 3 season
Laurimar brought South Morang’s undefeated start to the NFL Division 3 season to an end, inspired by four goals from a 16-year-old young gun.
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Laurimar put an end to South Morang’s undefeated start to the NFL Division 3 season with a 18-point win on Saturday.
A dominant first half set up the win at Laurimar Reserve and pulls the Power to within a game of the ladder-leading Lions with five games remaining.
The home team led by 35 points at half-time and withstood a furious South Morang fightback in the second half to secure a critical result, 16.6 (102) to 13.6 (84).
“We’ve won the game because of the first half but I was proud of our effort in the second half, when we were down we found a way,” Power coach Jimmy Atkins said.
“Our first half – it’s easy to say – was our best half of footy for the year, everything went right, we were moving the ball the way we wanted to and we got the rewards.
“I don’t think we were at our best at the start of the second half and South Morang got it back on their terms.
“They moved the ball very well, set up across half-back very well and it was hard to beat but credit to us, we kicked a few goals late in the third to consolidate and same in the last quarter.
“They kicked the first goal of the last quarter and put us under a lot of pressure but our leaders stood up – Luke Wilson and Mitch Thompson and Josh Leather got on top in the middle.”
Laurimar’s 16-year-old forward Brody Glenn sparked his team with four goals in a scintillating display.
It was the Assumption College student’s third senior game of the season after debuting with three goals against Reservoir in Round 2.
He combined with key forward Josh Williamson (three goals), ruck Josh Leather and best-on-ground Jacob Lawson (two goals) to get the Power over the line.
“Young Brody, he’s only 16, and not that far off the ground either,” Atkins said.
“He’s a fantastic player, one for the future for Laurimar that’s for sure, but unfortunately we won’t have him all the time because he plays Assumption ones.
“We want him playing that, that’s a really good stepping stone for him, and when he can play for us we’ll get him in. He’ll play under-17s (on Sunday) as well.
“Jacob was good on the wing, he was amongst it all day, his defensive pressure was good and kicked a couple of goals as well.
“He does a lot of work around stoppages as well but he links us up so well from defence to forward, he got us into some attacking positions with his ball use.”
Laurimar could be without Mark Mura for several weeks after he reinjured his hamstring in his return game.
Mitch Kalpakis was South Morang’s best on the day with Ben Peterson (five goals), Aaron Lazaric and Nathan Bell also strong contributors.
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While South Morang face Reservoir on Saturday, Laurimar will look to keep the pressure on against a red-hot Old Eltham Collegians.
The Turtles upset Kilmore by three points to cement their place in the top four and Atkins knows the NFL’s newest team will be no push over.
“That doesn’t surprise me, the Turtles are a good side and I’ve said that all year,” Atkins said.
“We were lucky to beat them on our home ground, I think they got the better of us all day, and I think they’ll be playing finals.”
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