Nyora staves off final quarter surge
Nyora staved off a final quarter come back to hold on and defeat Catani, 11-14 (80) to 10-5 (65).The Saints had worked out to a five goal lead in the third quarter, only for the Blues to make a stirring comeback and threaten an upset.
While both teams had been widely tipped to finish bottom three this season, the Saints and Blues may offer some surprises after they found some handy additions for the second round.
For the Blues it was Tom Keily returning from Toora and some additions from Pearcedale, while the Saints added Pugh brothers Scott and Adam, Angus McGillivray and Phillip Island premiership player Max Mattock.
Both teams looked sharp in the warmup as proceedings began in perfect conditions. But with added pressure that the opposition brings this quickly turned, with neither side able to score in the opening seven minutes.
With the breeze picking up it was Nyora who would score first, Adam Pugh converting a good kick from the left forward pocket after a free kick.
Nathaniel Rodda was busy for the Blues early, as were Brett and Dylan Williams, while Josh Seppings was putting in impressive second efforts around the ground.
Despite this it was the Saints who would score next with Pugh converting from the flank, his long kick coming from 45 metres out.
Catani's Lachlan Free made like his surname and found some space to get the Blues going, finding resting midfielder Chris Power who duly converted 35 metres from goal.
The Blues went forward again and found an outnumber, winning the three on one as Free soccered through his first.
The Saints then gradually edged ahead over the next half of football. They took a 16-point lead into half time, 7-6 to 5-2, and then extended that with the first goal of the second half.
Nyora threatened to take the game away, with Ben Lineham roving a contest from Taylar Gard to add the Saints ninth.
The next piece of play resembled a training drill as the Saints found Pugh again, but the shot missed.
The visitor found itself five goals clear and in control, only for the Blues to mount an impressive comeback.
James Williams converted a clutch goal to keep the Blues in touch and with a chance as they turned for home with the aid of the breeze.
The Blues moved forward to open the final term, forcing a stoppage five metres from goal where Free got a foot to it for the all-important first goal. To that point Free had scored four goals of seven for the Blues.
The Saints couldn't make the most of their limited opportunities, with Riley McDonald defending and spoiling admirably despite being undersized compared to his opponent.
Nerves threatened to creep in as tall Tom Keily turned rover to Riley McDonald, converting a snap from 35 metres out while being tackled to close the margin to just 11 points.
The Saints found a steadier through an inspirational goal from Jesse Heylen, running in and curving the ball around to out through their 10th.
The Blues responded and went coast to coast, Seppings finishing off with a checkside to again put the Blues in touch at the 16-minute mark.
Gard went forward and converted a soccer kick not long before time on, which would prove to be the sealer as the Saints began to withstand Catani attacks and slow play down.
Young gun Travis Stewart had put in a best afield performance in the ruck and would put the full stop on the contest, drifting forward to mark deep in the forward line to secure the four points.