ROOS RALLY TO CLAIM THRILLER

PAUL Carson, pictured, described it as the best quarter of footy he has seen from Anglesea in his two seasons as coach.

Down by 27 points at three-quarter time, the Roos kicked seven goals in a stunning final quarter of momentum to overpower previously unbeaten Barwon Heads by five points.

It was a turnaround inspired by positional changes, old-fashioned contested footy, individual brilliance and even a slice of luck.

Not on Dyson BellWarren’s watch was Anglesea going to roll over in the last quarter on a day when things were not going his side’s way.

Bell-Warren proved his worth with a scintillating final quarter of footy across half-back, repeatedly repelling the Seagulls with a series of game-saving marks, including a contender for mark of the year on the wing.

“He was pretty frustrated with himself at halftime, that he hadn’t had the impact he’d have liked, but his second half ... he must have taken 10 marks I reckon,” Carson said.

“He was exceptional, absolutely.”

The moment the Roos left their three-quarter time huddle, they had a spark.

After kicking 4.10 to three-quarter time, Anglesea opened the floodgates with five quick goals to snatch the lead in a frenetic final quarter. With each goal, the roar from the faithful gathered on the veranda grew louder and louder.

The Seagulls found the lead again, before Ben Jaska’s shot took a sharp off-break and the Roos grabbed back the lead.

In a tense finish, Barwon Heads appealed for a holding-the-ball decision simultaneously on the siren about 45m out from goal, but full time was called.

“We believed we were still in the game of footy (at three-quarter time) and the only main reason we were trailing was because of our inconsistency,” Carson said. “I thought we had opportunities, and plenty of them, and that if we could finetune and finish off the work, we’d be OK.

“We threw a few things around structurally and today it paid off.”

Anglesea shuffled the deckchairs at threequarter time, sending Dale Carson back to provide a cool head in the Barwon Heads’ forward line.

The backline was balanced with Carson controlling the air, BellWarren plugging the holes and Ryan Williams storming in off the back of the square. With Ash Caldwell and Dale Kerr also having an influence, the Roos proved their credentials as a genuine top-three contender.

“I said to the boys just before (in the post-match address) that that was the best quarter of footy I’ve seen since I’ve been involved in Anglesea,” Carson said.

“It was an amazing game of footy to watch, from both teams. The pressure and intensity — it was a really good game of footy from both teams, and thankfully we were on the winning

side.”