Third term lapse costs Crows
A third quarter lapse from Longwarry ultimately handed Nyora the four points in what was otherwise a competitive match between the Ellinbank District Football League’s top sides.
The Crows had been very competitive in the first half and had looked even odds of getting the job done against their more fancied opponents, with the scores locked at 4-6 apiece at the long break.
With Ben Schulz hurting his wrist in the warm up and unable to take the field, the Saints’ forward line had to adjust but began to find opportunities in the third term.
A return of 3-8 to no score in the third term gave the Saints the break they needed before going on to win, 9-15 (69) to 7-9 (51).
The Crows won the final term, but a couple of steadiers from Nyora ensured the Saints kept the Crows at bay.
It was the Saints who kicked the opening goal but the Crows were up for the fight.
Russell Lehman, who would find plenty of the ball over the course of the afternoon, broke a tackle with his snap rolling through to see the Crows hit the front.
The Crows went forward again towards Daniel Fry, who was opposed to three Saints players, but he brought the ball to ground with his follow up work earning him a free kick. Unfortunately for the Crows his shot missed.
The Crows snapped truly from front and centre for their second.
Fry again presented on a lead and centred to Russell Lehman, who duly converted after the siren to send the Crows into the first break with a two-goal lead.
Ian Osman took a strong mark on the lead early in the second quarter but missed. It provided a sign of what was to come, with the usually accurate key target missing opportunities both from set shot and when playing on to advantage throughout the contest.
The Crows controlled the ball in their front half but could only manage minor scores.
The missed chances proved costly as the Saints followed a long goal with Osman snapping truly from the front of the pack in one of his rare conversions, finishing with just one goal for the match.
Cory Lenders found himself in space on the outside and punished the Saints, steering through the Crows’ fourth.
The Saints converted from a lead to level the scores at the half time break.
While the Saints went into the sheds at half time, the Crows stayed out in the warm sun and judging by what would transpire in the third term it may have cooked them. A flat third term resulted in a roasting from the coach, just in case the Crows weren’t already well done.
The Saints roved a goal from a boundary throw in to begin the third term and could have put the Crows away sooner with a run of six consecutive behinds.
Two goals to finish off the quarter gave the Saints a handy 26-point lead at the final change.
A 50-metre penalty to Kallon Rigby gifted the Saints the first goal of the final term to push the margin beyond five goals, before Chris Hodges found space to snap a goal and effectively kill the contest.
To the Crows’ credit they didn’t throw it in, competing until the final siren.
Russell Lehman took three bounces down the wing to set up a long goal, but time was of the essence.
The Crows finished the match with play of the day honours. A long torpedo from Aaron Serong at full back saw the Crows break from the wing, kick to a leading target and convert their seventh goal from out wide to finish the match.
The Crows will no doubt take confidence from the fact they can push the Saints should they eradicate the poor third term.
The Saints would be happy to bank some more points as they move another step to shoring up top spot on the ladder and a week off to begin the finals.
Coach Fia Tootoo is expected to return to the side this week.