Leader News |
GEMBROOK Cockatoo has been diligently ticking off items on a wish list this season.
Short-term goals have included winning at Woori Yallock for the first time in 22 years, a breakthrough victory at Mount Evelyn and winning four consecutive games.
And getting defender Leigh Scott his first senior goal.
The 25-year-old joined the Brookers from North Heidelberg this season and until last weekend had never kicked a goal in six seasons of senior football.
"I probably hadn't kicked a goal for six years, going back to reserves days," Scott said last week.
"I've gone a long time without a (senior) goal.
"I've kicked a few behinds, probably about 45 all up, but set shots have been hard to come by. I never get down to the forward line."
With the Brookers 10 goals ahead of Mount Evelyn in the final term last week, Scott gave the team runner a message for coach Travis Marsham.
"Tell Trav it's time to unleash the weapon," Scott said, laughing, as he stood next to his Rovers opponent in defence.
Little did he know Marsham was already planning the move.
"When Leigh told me he'd never kicked one I just couldn't believe it. I said I don't care if it's the winning goal after the siren in the grand final, you're going to get your goal," Marsham said.
"I cleared out the forward line and sent him to full forward, the kick came down and he took the mark and went back for a set shot.
"From the angle I was on once it hit his boot it looked like it'd gone way right and might even go out on the full, but I saw Leigh celebrate as soon as it left his foot and the boys all went to him celebrating.
"It was like he actually had kicked the winning goal in a grand final."
With his entire team coming up behind him as he went back to take the kick, Scott said he felt the pressure mounting.
"I only felt under the pump because the runner came back over to me as I went back and told me in no uncertain times I was going back to the backline after the kick," Scott said.
"It was now or never for me."
Scott said he would now nag Marsham to again "release the weapon" in the top-of-the-table Brookers' run home to finals.
"I think I can definitely be a pinch hitter," Scott laughed.
"I pulled Trav aside after the game and told him if he ever needs a clinch goal he knows I can kick straight."