Mernda sends timely reminder of its class, handing Old Paradians a first home defeat

Mernda has surged to the top of the NFNL Division 3 ladder after handing Old Paradians its first home defeat, a timely reminder of the Demons’ power.

Kai Turner in action for Mernda. Picture: Field of View Photography

Mernda has risen to the top of the NFNL Division 1 ladder for the first time this season.

With arguably their best performance of the year, the Demons claimed the top rung with a 28-point victory over Old Paradians at Garvey Oval.

It’s the first time the Raiders have been knocked off at home and the first loss with inspirational ruckman Sam Gilmore in the side.

The 11.12 (78) to 7.8 (50) triumph sending a timely reminder to the competition why Mernda remain premiership favourites.

“We were playing for top spot today and we believe we’re the best side in the competition, so we wanted that spot back, which was a bit of motivation,” coach Rob Fletcher said.

Aydin Kecisi in action for Mernda. Picture: Field of View Photography

“A lot of things didn’t go our way for long periods, 10-15 minutes where we didn’t score and we’re a fairly high-scoring team.

“We stuck to our structures and kept grinding away, it was a bit of a dog-fight today and I’m really proud of the way the boys played.

“I think every game you play now, third division is so strong, you’ve got to be up and about every week and if not you come unstuck.”

Both teams were coming off big wins, Old Paradians by 97 points over Reservoir and Mernda by 108 over Lalor.

The Demons settled the quicker, taking a 13-point lead into quarter-time.

Inaccuracy cost the visitors a bigger half-time lead, going into the main break with a 17-point margin despite kicking 2.5 for the term.

Last year’s grand finalist kept the pedal down in the third term and opened up a match-winning 32-point lead at three-quarter-time.

And despite being down two rotations on the bench, Mernda still finished the stronger.

Dayne Kellett in action for Mernda. Picture: Field of View Photography

Co-captain Matt Golledge is racing the clock to be fit for next week after suffering an ankle injury, while key defender Riley Vincent will miss at least the next fortnight with concussion.

“We lost two before half-time so to keep fighting was awesome,” Fletcher said.

“We thought we had control of the game, just some of our decision-making and disposal kept them in the game, so we were never nervous at any stage.”

Team of the Year star Kai Turner was named best-on-ground in the win, while Josh Mazzarella, Jayden Bell and Lachie Taylor also impressed.

Bryce Kimuliatis and Matt Bawden both booted three goals, Kimuliatis sitting equal second in the league goalkicking race.

“I thought Kai was really good, I thought our back six went really well,” Fletcher said.

“Our ruckman Lachie, we got smashed in the hitouts but we won the clearances, so our midfield did an awesome job and the big fella up forward was great as well.

“You do (have a plan against Gilmore) a little bit, we know he likes to hit the back out the back a bit, so we were wary of that.

“He’s a bloody great footballer, one of the best I’ve seen, so he’s great for Parade and great for third division.”

For Paradians, Kyle O’Sullivan, Nick Kolotylo, Tom Cooper and Blair Healy held their heads high.

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The result sees a three-way tie at the top of the ladder, with Mernda leading Fitzroy Stars and Old Paradians on percentage.

Epping, Ivanhoe and Old Eltham Collegians are then locked together fighting for fourth and fifth with Kilmore only a game back in seventh.

In other results, Epping leap-frogged Ivanhoe into the top-five with a 31-point win and Fitzroy Stars edged Old Eltham by seven points.

Heidelberg West was too strong for Lalor in a 51-point win and Kilmore smashed Kinglake by 69 points.