South Morang claims NFL Division 3 minor premiership in fiery win over Laurimar
South Morang claims the NFL Division 3 minor premiership after a fiery win over Laurimar that saw a player sent off and all-in brawl.
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South Morang is the NFL Division 3 minor premier after a fiery 21-point win over Laurimar on Saturday.
The top-of-the-table battle at Mill Park Lakes Reserve was ignited in the final minute of the first quarter when an all-in brawl broke out.
The melee was sparked when Laurimar captain Mitch Thompson’s run-down tackle on South Morang’s Nick Poursanidis caused the young Lion to hit his head on the ground.
Teammate Ty Hall immediately remonstrated, jumping on top of Thompson as players came from everywhere.
The teams begin to separate but not before Lion Aaron Lazaric appears to headbutt the Power’s Kaiden Arthur, sparking another push and shove.
Hall was shown a red card following the fracas as Liam Jolly kicked a goal from the initial free kick to give South Morang a one-point lead at quarter-time.
It was a lead the Lions would not lose, winning 12.13 (85) to 10.4 (64).
South Morang coach Gary Hall said the win would give his team confidence ahead of a qualifying final rematch in a fortnight but conceded his team’s discipline would have to improve.
“(It doesn’t mean) a lot, it’s just a momentum factor and a bit of confidence going into the second semi against them,” he said.
“It’s always the same when we play each other, it’s just two top teams going at it.
“The boys stick up for each other but we’ll definitely have to rein that it a little bit.
“We’ll review the footage and see what’s going on but worse case scenario (losing Hall for) a couple of weeks isn’t ideal.”
It was an otherwise entertaining game as the competition’s two best teams traded goals and supporters traded insults for much of the game.
When Thompson booted a goal just before the three-quarter-time siren – thanks to a dissent 50m penalty – the margin was just 14 points.
However, the home team took complete control in the final term.
South Morang dominated possession in the fourth quarter but couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard, kicking 1.8.
With the game up for grabs, Hall was pleased with his team’s response and was confident the accuracy would improve come finals.
“Once we get the ball in our hands we can control it, we’ve matured a lot since I’ve had them,” he said.
“The boys like Ty (Hall), Browny (Bailey Brown) and Hewy (James Hewson), they’re like 25 now and at the peak age, they’re pretty level headed and particularly this year been able to close out games.
“We had nine or 10 more scoring shots, and I think a few weeks ago was pretty much the same, so if we can tidy up that area it might not be so close.”
Bailey Brown was prolific in midfield, while Sam Hutton impressed with his run-and-carry on the wing for South Morang.
Liam Jolly took a series of contested marks and kicked three goals to add another tall target alongside Jake Potter and Ben Petersen (three goals).
For Laurimar, Kaiden Arthur was a standout on the wing, picking up disposals at will in the first half.
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The Power star provided the highlight of the day with a mesmerising Goal of the Year contender – intercepting the ball on the wing and kicking long before running on to pick up the loose ball and kicking a check-side snap that curled through beautifully.
Jacson Cecil finished with three goals, while Jake Richards, Josh Campbell and Luke Wilson also performed strongly.
Barring a Laurimar loss to Lalor, the two teams will meet again in a fortnight in the major semi-final at Whittlesea.
South Morang will consider challenging Hall’s red card and automatic two-week ban to have him available for the clash and will welcome back Liam Failla, Josh Renehan and Nathan Bell back against the Mernda.
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