South Morang admits it has ground to make up heading into Northern Football League Division 3 finals

SOUTH Morang coach Craig Lambert admits his side will need to produce something special to topple Northern Football League Division 3’s top-two teams in finals.

NFL Football: Reservoir V South Morang. at Reservoir. 72 for Sth Morang Brent Howlett marks

SOUTH Morang coach Craig Lambert has spent most of 2014 trying to stop himself thinking about the what ifs.

What if his side reached finals? What if the Lions made a grand final? And what if they can win promotion back to Division 2?

Expectations of a finals finish have been achieved, with South Morang booked in for a knockout final against Watsonia this weekend.

South Morang’s Daniel Healey pushes Reservoir’s Jake McSwain. Picture: Mark Wilson.

And the result. Picture: Mark Wilson.

Lambert said he did not want to look past his team’s battle with the Saints, despite admitting it needs to improve to overcome Reservoir and Thomastown.

“They are still a little bit ahead of us,” Lambert said.

“We’re going to have to play extremely well and apply a lot of pressure for a lot of time in the game if we ever come up against Thomastown or Reservoir.

“We’ve still got to get through Watsonia first, that’s our priority.”

The Lions got a stark reality check on Saturday, hammered by 82 points by a David Mcgregor-inspired Reservoir.

McGregor booted six goals in the Mustangs’ 17.9 (111) to 3.11 (29) victory at Crispe Park.

South Morang will hope captain Mitch Buckley and fellow midfield tyro Sean Kirby can be the catalysts for a better performance against Watsonia.

Along with key forward Ashley Hobbs, the pair will have a major say in how far the Lions can go.

“(Mitch) is very hard at it and very consistent with his performance,” Lambert said.

“If he has a bad game, it’s pretty close to his good games.

“Sean is a new recruit to the club, he’s come from the EDFL and onto the ball again.

“He’s got pace and a bit of ability to win his own ball.”

Lambert said he hoped to continue as coach next year after a year of improvement at the club, which was relegated from Division 2 after just one win last season.

Minor premier Thomastown will play Reservoir in the second semi-final after finishing its season with a 51-point win over Heidelberg West.

The result was never in doubt after an eight-goal opening quarter for the Bears at Heidelberg Park.

Michael Khoury was the star, finishing with six goals.

DIVISION 3 FINALS

Second semi-final: Thomastown v Reservoir, North Heidelberg. Saturday, August 23.

First semi-final: South Morang v Watsonia, North Heidelberg. Sunday, August 24.