McPhan cements win for Lyrebirds
Cameron McPhan proved a match winner for Buln Buln as the Lyrebirds produced an upset of sorts to defeat Trafalgar.
With the contest hampered by wintry conditions and a strong cross-breeze, McPhan's sensational final term burst proved catalyst for a come from behind victory.
The Bloods had held the edge in a dour affair that had only realised three goals to the final change.
Enter McPhan, who was able to add consecutive goals to put the Lyrebirds in front to ultimately hold on and win 4-7 (31) to 2-2 (14).
The Lyrebirds hadn't been without their chances, with a Bob McCallum miss from centre half forward to begin the third term taking their return to 1-6.
McPhan then began his burst, converting to put the Lyrebirds four points to the good.
Buln Buln went forward again and McPhan caught his opponents napping. Baker's kick towards the square rolled out of bounds and McPhan burst through the stoppage, his left foot snap sailing through to open a 10-point buffer.
Desperation lifted for Trafalgar with the points on the line, but in a blow for the Bloods their best player to that point in Hayden Farrell headed to the bench to ice his hamstring.
The Lyrebirds would again score next. Jake Herbel, who had been providing good drive for the visitor, found James Fowler but his snap faded late to miss.
Trafalgar began to take risks to generate score to get themselves back into the contest, and it would bring about their undoing.
Herbel was able to cut off an ambitious kick into the corridor from Dylan Farrell. He found Adam Rakip, who had stepped up in the absence of injured Sam Langford and kicked the sealer.
Both teams entered the contest with personnel changes. Bryce Monahan came in for Langford and got his hands to the ball in contest, while Flynn Hammond came in for his debut for the Lyrebirds.
Trafalgar also had changes with players in isolation or away at national polocrosse championships, coach Tom Hallinan admitting pregame that it would be hard to be critical of either side until later in the season.
The Bloods began the match kicking with a breeze that may have been worth two or three goals in normal autumn conditions.
Instead the ball spent a lot of time over the boundary scoreboard side of the ground, some delays ensuing as patrons found it difficult to leave the comfort of their cars to assist returning the ball.
Relishing his role in the forward half, Hayden Baker roved a Rakip contest for an opportunistic goal over the back for an important goal into the wind.
Matthew Swenson converted from long range for the immediate response.
The Bloods went searching for Mitchell Smart in space, but he couldn't collect, while a Mann soccer toward goal was intercepted.
It was Buln Buln who had the most opportunities in the second term, but only had four behinds to show for it.
Samuel Batson, Jack Symes, Sean Symes, Matthew Gray, Thomas Axford and Jake Pierrehumbert were prominent as the Lyrebirds held a slight edge, while keeping Trafalgar in the contest were Jace Butler, Dylan Farrell, David Van Schajik, Mitch Virtue, Blake Slater and Tyson Leys.
A late goal from Klay Butler put the Bloods in front heading into the final change, and next goal would prove telling in the outcome.
McPhan began his final quarter heroics before Rakip delivered the sealer from an opportunistic turnover.
Fittingly the ball finished with man of the moment McPhan as the Lyrebirds secured the points to displace Trafalgar in second on the ladder.