Mernda will play finals for the first time since 2014, eyes new goal in run home

For the first time since 2014, Mernda will play senior finals, while its reserves, under-19s and women’s are also on track, in a remarkable season.

Bryce Kimuliatis and William Crouch celebrate Mernda’s win. Picture: Andy Brownbill

For the first time in eight years, Mernda will play finals.

The Demons hadn’t made the post season since 2014, in Division 2, but have been arguably the biggest surprise packet in the NFNL this season – surging into Division 3 premiership contention with a brilliant campaign.

Saturday’s 35-point win over ladder-leader Kinglake now has the club joint top – third on percentage – and three games clear of fifth-placed Heidelberg West with five games remaining and matches against strugglers Reservoir and Lalor.

The double chance and a first minor premiership since 1997 are well within reach.

Mernda coach Rob Fletcher said it was an exciting time for the entire club.

Mernda players celebrate after the win over Old Eltham Collegians. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“It’s massive for the club … I think we’re right now, I think we’ve sown up a finals spot,” he said.

“Our seconds are equal second, our under-19s are equal first and most likely going to play finals and the women’s have gone up a division and are a massive chance of playing as well.

“I’m comfortable saying we’ll play (senior) finals and we’ve set our sights on a double chance – we think that’s in our reach.

“We’ve played the three top sides and they’ve got to all play each other, so as long as we keep performing we’re a massive chance.”

Mernda has been slowly developing its young core since Fletcher took the reins in 2020 and has added some much-needed experience this season.

Billy Morrison has been in the club’s best in almost every game this season, and is fourth in the Coaches’ MVP, while Bryce Kimuliatis is second in the league goalkicking.

Importantly, the club hasn’t been as reliant on Ryan Bongetti, with the veteran limited to five games, while captain Angus Mills has been sidelined with a knee injury.

The likes of Matt Golledge, Matt Bawden, Chris Roussos, Riley Vincent, Nathan Baccega and Joel Harris have stood up.

Bryce Kimuliatis and William Crouch celebrate a win. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“It’s been a slower burn with COVID and that, maybe the kids are a couple of years behind we’re we though because of that,” Fletcher said.

“Our average age on Saturday was 23.5 and about 55 games across the whole group, so the club’s in a good position.

“Off the field we’re flying as well, we’ve got our $5000 draw on Saturday and it’s looks like it’s sold out, which is really good.”

Morrison was again named best-on-ground on Saturday as Mernda prevailed 9.9 (63) to 4.4 (28) at Waterview Reserve.

Kinglake was held goalless in the first quarter and to just one major at half-time.

Kye Turner, Dayne Kellett, Riley Black, Roussos and Baccega were also among the best, while Will Crouch, Michael Evans and Morrison all slotted two goals.

“We’ve had three weeks of mini finals and Laurimar were just too good for us. They gave us a footy lesson,” Fletcher said.

“We learnt plenty when Kinglake done us the first time around, we took them lightly the first time, and we needed to be switched on.

“We played some awesome footy to keep the top side to three goals for the game, it was an awesome job.”

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Kellett in particular has had an impressive month, earning best-on-ground honours against Fitzroy Stars and named in the best against heavyweights Old Eltham Collegians, Laurimar and Kinglake.

“It’s the first time he’s played in the backline for the whole season and with Shannon Bennett beside him, teaching him, he’s had an oustanding season,” Fletcher said.

“We all forget that he’s only 22 or 23, so he’s just started to get towards his best footy.”

Mernda has the bye this weekend before facing Reservoir at Waterview Reserve on July 22, followed by Kilmore (away), Heidelberg West (home), Lalor (home) and Fitzroy Stars (away).