MYRTLEFORD was undefeated on the season and were up by 21 points at half time of the under 14 grand final but Kangaroos were not about to roll over and let this opportunity slip.
Given that the Saints had beaten the Roos by 64 points just a fortnight ago, the Roos went into this match with nothing to lose and everything to gain.
And with that freedom, they triumphed.
In what would be a great turnaround, the Roos steeled themselves for the tough challenge at half time, ignored the margin and surged forward.
The tackling pressure, the skills, the run and the team work shown by the Kangaroos was exemplary, rising above the taller and stronger Saints team.
The Roos kicked themselves back into the game with four straight goals to just four Saints’ behinds in the third term to get the margin to just one point at three quarter time. And the Roos weren’t finished there. The Roos held the Saints to just 1.2 in the final quarter, while nailing 2.4 themselves to edge ahead in the final five minutes of play thanks largely to a purple patch from Tristian Fletcher.
Fletcher saved his best for when his side needed it most, with the Saints pressing the boy they call ‘Twister’ impacted two contests, gathered the crumbs, rounded on to his left foot and sent the ball deep into the forward line.
But a goal from a set shot sealed the game as the Roos got to the lead and held it to win by seven points, 9.5 (59) to 6.16 (52).
Kangaroos’ coach Luke Tweedale didn’t lose hope at half time.
“I didn’t doubt the boys for a minute; their endeavour in the first half and their fitness I knew would get us back in the match,” he said.
“I felt like we still had plenty of run in our legs and that we were going to be a huge show in the second half.
“I always knew we could beat them, I knew could match it with them if we ran the football.”
Tweedale was understandably elated with his side’s response after half time.
“It was fantastic; the boys just ran over the top of the Saints’ boys,” he said.
“Braeden (Marjanovic), Twist (Tristian Fletcher) and Jack Boulton all lifted for us in that third term.”
The last quarter saw some of the fastest football played for the day, an aspect that pleased Tweedale.
“We learnt our lesson from the last time we played Myrtleford; we knew we had to run at every opportunity,” he said.
“Myrtleford are a lot taller and stronger so we couldn’t just put the ball high; we had to keep the ball as low as we could at every opportunity.”
On his best on ground medal recipient, Tristian Fletcher, Tweedale said his star was almost not going to play.
“Tristian rolled his ankle at school on the Monday, he didn’t train Tuesday and was a little bit proppy on Thursday, we started him at full forward,” Tweedale said.
“He said he was okay so we moved him to centre half forward and then threw him in the ruck and then we pushed us forward deep in the final term and just played an unreal five minute burst.”
LEFT: Best on ground Tristian Fletcher-Blake gathers the ball at ground level.
RIGHT: Star midfielder Braeden Marjanovic gets his kick away despite a chase from a Myrtleford opponent.
By - Cam Potter.
12th September, 2018.
www.wangarattachronicle.com.au
Last Modified on 28/10/2018 10:38