Trafalgar score win in terrible conditions
Terrible conditions made it a close round, with Trafalgar scoring their second win with a six pointer over Morwell East.
Thorpdale and Yarragon held on for a draw, while Yallourn-Yallourn North, Newborough and Mirboo North won their matches without any undue worries
Survival of the fittest
It was the survival of the fittest and in the Trafalgar and Morwell East match.
It was Trafalgar who survived to beat Morwell East by one goal in a game where it took courage from both sides to play football under the adverse conditions, with the Bloods scoring 5-6 (36) to 2-18 (30).
Trafalgar had to come from behind to snatch the win at the 24 minute mark, but the match could have easily have gone Morwell East’s way if they had kicked straight.
A third quarter effort of 2-9 to 0-1 didn’t inspire the Hawks camp and by three-quarter-time they had a slender lead of 13 points with 2-15 to 2-2.
Trafalgar only got the ball past the centre twice in the quarter as play was centred in the northern end of the ground. Aided by a strong breeze Trafalgar edged closer to Morwell East in a torrid last quarter.
Trafalgar’s Alex Weymouth was crunched in a pack and was stretched from the play three minutes into the last quarter and play was held up for four minutes which made the difference to Morwell East as Trafalgar won in extra time.
The match was edging closer to what could have been an historic draw (they drew earlier this season) but Trafalgar perservered and at 24 minutes the scores were level with Morwell East an ugly 2-18 (30) to Trafalgar’s 4-6 (30).
An extremely lucky free kick turned into a 50-metre penalty against Morwell East allowed Trafalgar to score a goal.
Morwell East forced the ball forward in the dying seconds but time eluded them and Trafalgar ran out six point winners for their second victory this season.
Trafalgar’s coach Dale Burridge said his side never gave up.
“We kept at them, we never gave up and I’m so proud of them for their great effort,” he said.
“Now with four rounds to play I’m confident that they can win a couple more.”
Titanic struggle
From opposites sides of the league, Mirboo North and Hill End struggled in the extreme cold conditions.
They equalled their lowest aggregate score of 62 points set in 2011 with Mirboo North coming out winners 6-11 (47) to Hill End’s 1-9 (15) in an extremely difficult match.
Hill End had chances in the second term but they couldn’t buy a goal scoring five behinds.
The win was important for Mirboo North as it puts the pressure on to top side Newborough, and with only four matches to play every match is important for Mirboo North to win.
Dylan Briggs, John Warren and Kristian Harper battled hard for the Hillmen.
Bulldogs too strong
In the mental health match Newborough restricted Boolarra to their lowest score ever 0-2 in a game that barely reached paddock standard.
Players couldn’t adjust to the mud, cold and rain and spectators were driven indoors as the elements played out over the game.
Newborough proved far too strong consolidating their top position, winning 12-9 (81) to 0-2 (2).
The Doggies shared their goals around with eight players lining up to score.