NEWTOWN & Chilwell maintained its spot in the top four after a nail-biting 10.15 (75) to 10.12 (72) win over Autumn St rivals St Joseph's.
The win couldn't have come at a better time for the Eagles following their humiliating 99-point loss to South Barwon.
But key defender Ash McCorkell reportedly rolled his ankle and is expected to be out for the next 4-6 weeks, while promising forward Jordan Crerar will probably be sidelined for the season after he punctured a lung last Friday night.
Despite the injuries, Crerar's good friend and teammate Jai Sheahan stepped up, kicking his side's first two goals for the match.
But the clouds darkened for the Eagles as St Joseph's took a handy three-goal lead at the end of the first half.
Newtown & Chilwell coach Jacob Spolding said at half-time he thought his players' intent and effort were good.
"We just didn't make the most with with the footy," Spolding said.
"But it was something we thought we could claw back."
The Eagles finished strongly in the final stages of the match, with Shepparton recruit Josh McDonald kicking four goals and John Leyden leading the disposal count in his best match for the season.
Leyden, who spends his weekdays at the Geelong Football Club as a fitness employee, admitted after the match that his side's speed helped secure the four points.
"I think we just got the ball into the forward line a bit quicker, which was our main focus," Leyden said.
Last Modified on 12/08/2013 20:57