Old Eltham Collegians keeps season alive with thrilling win over Laurimar

Old Eltham Collegians past month has been nothing but nail-biters, with the latest a thrilling win over the ladder-leader, to keep its finals hopes alive.

Matthew Keys celebrates a goal. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Old Eltham Collegians supporters wouldn’t have any nails left after the last month.

The Turtles have been riding a rollercoaster of tense, heart-stopping finishes – the latest a seven-point win over ladder-leader Laurimar on Saturday.

In the past five weeks Collegians have also lost to Mernda by seven, beaten Fitzroy Stars by four, lost to Heidelberg West by one and had a big win over Lalor.

The 9.4 (58) to 6.15 (51) victory over the Power at Eltham College is also the latest nail-biter between the two teams, with the past four matches decided by just 16 points combined.

It is a vital win for the Turtles with their NFNL Division 3 finals hopes on the line.

Tim Ellis in action for Old Eltham Collegians. Picture: Andy Brownbill

They remain fifth, behind Heidelberg West on percentage, and coach Matt Sleeman knows the pressure is on to win every week.

“Obviously we need Heidelberg West to drop one, it’s no secret that they’ve got a tough draw and now getting over Laurimar we’ve got the easier draw,” he said.

“We’ve had the bye and they haven’t so as long as they keep winning they’ll hold their spot.

“It’s up to us to keep winning and keep the heat on them, unfortunately because we lost to them twice it’s out of our hands at the minute.”

Old Eltham started strongly, taking a nine-point lead at quarter-time, but were held goalless in the second as the Power brought the margin back to a single point at half-time.

The Turtles took control again in the third quarter, establishing an eight-point break to set up a thrilling finish.

Laurimar had its chances in the second half, kicking 2.9 as the Collegians backline held firm under fire.

“I thought we controlled it pretty well, they had a lot of shots on goal and inside 50s, but our usual suspects held up really well,” Sleeman said.

Ben Cox gets a kick for Old Eltham. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“Timmy Ellis and Daniel Hallett, marks on the line or spoils on the line, it might look like they’ve kicked bad but we must have rushed at least 10 of those.

“Daniel Cartisano played his first game for the season and played well, Nathan Byatt was good again and has had a solid season, Angus Robinson plays well every week and Liam Rushton-McCoach.

“Hugh Kavanagh is overseas at the moment but will be back for the last two games, so our backline is only going to get stronger.

“I keep saying we’ve got the best backline in the comp and they keep proving me right.”

Seb Francis-Perkins continued his outstanding season in midfield, while Matt Williamson booted four goals to take his season tally to a league-leading 51 majors – 13 ahead of Kinglake’s Damian Pywell.

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For Laurimar, Aiden Clarke was named best afield, while Noah Mooney, Will Jacovou and Mitch Thompson were also strong.

The result sees the Power tumble of the top of the table and down to third, a game behind Kinglake and percentage behind Mernda.

Laurimar travels to fourth-placed Heidelberg West on Saturday, while Old Eltham travels to Kinglake.

Elsewhere in Division 3, the Lakers trounced Fitzroy Stars by 55 points, Mernda eased past Reservoir by 145 points and Heidelberg West was too good for Kilmore, winning by 26 points.