Thrilling draw disappoints Bombers, Wanderers

THE Bombers and Wanderers were left to rue plenty of missed opportunities in their 11.19 (85) to 12.13 (85) draw at Tiwi Oval yesterday.

The two sides looked dejected after fulltime, with both wanting a win to stay in topfive calculations going into the Christmas break.

The final quarter was a thriller, the visitors holding a seven-point lead after an early Shane Thorne major.

A strong finish in the goal square to Tiwi’s Patrick Heenan followed by Dion Munkara’s third major gave the Bombers the lead, before desperate Wanderers’ late attacking raids led to some rushed behinds.

Full-forward Brett Eddy booted a point with under 30 seconds left to level the score.

Tiwi coach Brenton Toy has overseen plenty of improvement in his team which got the wooden spoon last season, but was still disappointed at aspects of his team’s performance.

“It was our ability to finish again. We missed easy shots on goal,” he said. “We made some crucial errors late in the game with decision-making.”

Wanderers’ superior physicality and tackle pressure in defence, and composure to hit a lot more targets in attack, saw them take a comfortable 25-point lead into quartertime. The Eagles were impressive on the counter-attack led by Mitchell Taylor at centre half-back.

Justin Maher and Justin Smart scored off Tiwi errors in a first quarter where the hosts never got going.

“I’m not disappointed. I’m glad to get half the points on offer,” Wanderers coach Mo Motlop said. “I think they were slightly better than us at moving the ball.

“But we kept the pressure and intensity on them all day.”

The Bombers clawed their way back in the second term, with the goals shared at three each.

The hosts showed improved physicality with two majors to Munkara and one to Austin Wonaeamirri. Munkara’s second was all class, crumbing on the run with Wanderers defenders on him in the goal square.

But Wanderers still did not look troubled.

The Bombers, however, instantly rediscovered their running game in a thrilling third term, booting six goals to four.

“We know that when we’re up and about we can be as good as anyone else. That’s not the issue,” Toy said. “I would’ve loved a game or two more (wins by Christmas).” TIWI BOMBERS V WANDERERS BEST 0.3 3.10 9.13 11.19 4.4 6.7 10.8 12.13 GOALS UMPIRES