THE Kangaroos had lost just one match for the season, but that didn’t worry the hunting pack that was the Saints team, whose self belief carried them in the last quarter as they ran out four-point winners.
The Roos started the game well with a 3.4 to 2.1 opening term, and appeared in control for a majority of the stanza with sharp skills from both sides making for a good game of football.
The Saints’ bigger bodies kept them in the contest and allowed them to chip the ball quickly up the field, while the Kangaroos used their spread and pace to slice their way to goal.
The second quarter saw the Roos look like running away with it, opening up a 15-point lead with just minutes to go in the first half before the Saints were able to lock the ball in their forward half and kick a goal to bring the margin back to seven points at the long break.
Another even quarter to start the second half saw the Saints narrow the margin again, with just five points separating the two teams at three quarter time and the Myrtleford side closing the gap.
The Saints held the ball inside their forward half for almost the entire quarter without scoring goals, booting just 1.3 and stealing the lead thanks to a chipped shot at goal from Harry McKerral over a Roos defender.
With the ball now in the middle of the ground and one minute to go, the Roos lifted their game and managed to clear the ball, no easy task given the dominance of the Saints ruckman.
The ball was cleared to the wing and after some fumbles the Roos managed to get the ball inside their fifty metre arc. After a tough shot on goal from the pocket going through for a behind, the Saints kicked the ball into play and as the ball hit their half back line the siren sounded and the Saints had won.
Tyler Hogan booted three goals for the Roos, while Patrick Wright was named best on ground.
The Saints’ Damon Harrington was his team’s best player, while McKerral finished the match with two goals and was among the better players for his team.
By - Cam Potter
14th September, 2016
www.wangarattachronicle.com.au
Last Modified on 15/09/2016 19:34
