Roos shock Brothers in late surge
KANGAROOS have kept their finals hopes alive, slaying top of the table Brothers with a scintillating final 15 minutes of football yesterday afternoon at Vico Oval.
The home side stormed home with three late tries including a double to Bradley Stephen giving Roos an improbable victory and the Brethren their second loss of the season.
A classic Harry ‘Magic Man’ Ambrym ‘show-and-go’ started the comeback, sneaking past the defence to give the Roos a chance. With Jared Allen suffering a hamstring injury, Stephen shifted to fullback and finally imposed himself with the go-ahead try.
“He was very quiet for most of the game but got himself involved late,” proud coach Michael White said. “He took the line on with his strength and willed himself over the line for the first try. The second was a grubber kick, chip-and-chase just before the buzzer.”
White said despite entering the sheds down 8-0, there were promising signs from his charges early.
“What I like was that we were patient and were willing to get into the grind and work for it,” White said.
“We were down at halftime but didn’t panic. Our defence won us the game which is really pleasing.”
With Tully the next opponent at home, man-of-thematch Ben Cook said his side knew they could take it to the Tigers.
“That’s the toughest game I’ve played all year,” Cook said. “Brothers just keep coming. They’re big boys and very tough. I think the boys are excited by the challenge now.
“We really want to get back in the top five. We had a good week at training.
“There’s a really good character about the group and everyone wants to play for each other.”
Cook was full of praise for young playmaker Lachlan Biondi-Odo, playing just his second game at halfback.
“He’s got a big future. He organises the group well and the forwards love him,” Cook said. “He’s very fit and has got a good kicking game on him.”