Gippsland Times |
WOODSIDE kicked four goals to two in the final quarter to claim a one-point victory over neighbour Yarram.
Boasting a rivalry which spanned decades when the two sides competed in the Alberton league, the rivalry between Woodside and Yarram was renewed in the Good Friday blockbuster.
Drawing a record crowd at Woodside, punters travelled from far and wide to witness a contest which could be best described as dogged in wet trying conditions.
Yarram made its mark in the first term with coach Grif Underwood happy to show the Wildcats who was boss with some early push and shove.
Consecutive majors to Yarram through Ryan Underwood and Simon O'Donnell had the Demons away before a tight scruff which saw little movement on the scoreboard.
A snap goal from O'Donnell extended the visitors' lead to three majors.
The Wildcats moved Justin Staley on to the ball to counteract the Demons' midfield. It worked as Brett Kerr slotted through the home side's first goal 15 minutes into the term. It was quickly responded by Ryan Underwood's second major for the term, which handed the visitors a 22-point break at the first change.
Kicking into the wind didn't hamper the Demons' early rampage as Daniel Vardy opened proceedings.
The Wildcats worked hard to stay in touch as Kerr's snap from the boundary was the goal of the match. The midfielder finished off the hard work of Jack Doderico, who worked hard to ambush the Demons' ran from the back line.
But as they had done early in the contest, Ryan Underwood and O'Donnell again combined, with O'Donnell adding his second goal for the match as the Demons held their quarter-time margin into the long change.
During the third term the Wildcats made the most of the scoring end to outscore the visitors, four goals to two and reel the margin back to single figures.
Wildcats coach Chris Pettitt wanted more from his charges at the three-quarter-time huddle, pointing out players who needed to lift during the final term.
However, it was all one-way traffic early as Yarram registered the first goal. But the Demons had a number of missed opportunities going astray with Corbin Sutherland and Jarrod Swift missing before Staley made his mark.
With the Wildcats reeling the margin back to under a goal, Staley's mark and shot at goal from outside 50 metres handed the Wildcats the lead for the first time since the opening minute.
Trailing by two points, Yarram had its chances to reclaim the lead but the siren ended its challenge with Woodside claiming the honours, 11.8 (74) to 10.13 (73).
Wildcats coach Pettitt led from the front, his sweeping role across half-back was instrumental, none more so than in the final term.
Lothian was a dominant figure with Tom Love standing out in front of goal, finishing the contest with three.
For the Demons, Ryan and Grif Underwood stood out alongside best-on-ground David Clavarino.