Ben
Rowles
In one of the most thrilling Millewa Football League games witnessed over the past
decade, Meringur came back from the dead to clinch a nail biting win after the
siren against a gallant Cardross.
Despite being behind on the scoreboard for the duration
of the match, the Roos were in front when it counted, after Colin Keatch kicked
a point after the siren to break the hearts of Cardross supporters and players.
In what proved to be a terrific game of football, the day
started positively for the Lions, as they burst out of the blocks to end the
first quarter 27-points up. Cardross'ÂÂ tackling pressure was restricting
Meringur'ÂÂs attempts to push forward, and this pressure on the ball carrier
eventually led to two Lions goals.
The second quarter saw Meringur lift their intensity, as
they kicked the first two goals of the term to get themselves back into the
contest. The Roos seemed to be getting on top in the midfield battle, and this
translated on the scoreboard, as they went into the sheds only a goal down at
half time.
Jason Kirby was proving to be a livewire up forward for
Meringur, while Jake Zoch was controlling the ruck contests for the Lions.
The third quarter had it all. Suddenly, the game exploded
and a goal for goal shoot out developed, with both teams playing some
tremendous footy. Cardross kicked 7 goals to Meringur'ÂÂs 6, and with some key
Meringur players injured on the bench, the Lions looked like they would have
the upper hand as they headed into the final break 11-points ahead.
But the Roos would not lie down, despite Darren McCarthey
kicking his fifth for the day early in the final quarter to push the margin out
to 16 points. The game was tight in the clinches, but it looked like the Lions
would have enough legs to hold on.
However, two quick goals brought the margin back to
1-point, and with 30 seconds to go, Cardross had the ball from a kick out.
Despite clearing the play to the wing, the Roos were able
to rebound the ball for one final surge. A free kick for a push in the back resulted from a marking contest 35
metres out. Colin Keatch- who had been a big contributor at both ends of the
ground for Meringur- stepped up and promptly sent through the match winning
point, to send Meringur supporters and players into hysterics.
It was a shattering loss for the Lions, who had not been
behind in actual game time for the whole day. However, they can take some real
positives from the fact they can compete with a potential top 4 side, and will
be pleased they have found a good tap ruckman in Zoch, who is mobile and
provides a presence around the ground.
Meringur on the other hand will be very pleased with
their fighting spirit and the impact that their smaller forwards in Jason
Kirby, Nathan Yates and Cameron Shillingsworth can have on a game with their
electrifying pace.
In other games, Bambill outclassed a struggling Werrimull
outfit to run out 110-point winners at Lake Cullulleraine. The Saints were all
over the Pies in the first half, as they raced out to a 71-point lead at half
time.
The second half saw Werrimull improve their intensity,
and the game tightened up slightly, but it was the Saints who proved they will
be the team to beat over the course of the year.
Andrew Ross was a standout for Bambill, as were Ben
Milsom (4 goals) and Brant Reid, who have consistently been in the best for the
Saints in the past couple of weeks.
As for Werrimull, Sean Baumgurtel played a lone hand up
forward with 3 of the Magpies'ÂÂ 4 goals for the day. Chis McGregor and James
Graham also worked hard for Werrimull, but the Pies will need more contributors
if they are to get a win on the board in coming weeks.
The final game saw Nangiloc take on Euston at home, with
the game expected to showcase some exciting football.
The Demons would have been confident of knocking off the
reigning premiers, who lost the services of key forward Mahino Paola during the
week.
However after a 5 goal to 1 first quarter, the Dees just
couldn'ÂÂt get themselves back into the game, as the Bombers extended their lead
to 45-points at half time, and then eventually running out 32-point winners.
The Bombers would have been pleased Felix Liparota and
Sean Smith stood up and played terrific games for Euston, in the absence of
last year'ÂÂs league leading goal kicker. Liparota was instrumental in front of
the sticks, kicking 7 goals, while Smith provided a fantastic target at centre
half forward as he so often does.
David Mike and Cameron Peters were solid contributors all
day for the determined Demons, but in the end the Bombers proved too classy
around the ground, as they head into Round 5 undefeated.
Last Modified on 10/05/2009 10:44