The Courier |
PROLONGED effort and a will to succeed has kept the finals fairytale alive at Creswick.
The Wickers clinched a grinding 12-point victory over Gordon on Saturday to jump to eighth spot with just one round of the Central Highlands Football League home and away season to play.
It wasn't pretty in the wet at Doug Lindsay Reserve, but Creswick got the job done against a more skilful and fancied Eagles outfit.
Creswick was outclassed in the opening term, when it trailed by 20 points, but fought back hard after the break and snatched the lead shortly before the half thanks to a brilliant snap from the pocket by Mick Lockyer.
The arm-wrestle continued after half time, and the home side was able to keep its nose in front and see off the Eagles, which threatened in the final term, but couldn't overcome the Wickers' desire and effort.
Michael Griffin, Steve Patterson and Liam Hepworth were among the better contributors in an even display for the victors, with Lockyer superb in attack, finishing with three goals.
Small forward Mick Nolan was dangerous up forward for the Eagles and booted a match-high four goals, while tall Luke Gunnell worked hard around the ground.
"The pleasing thing was that it was a far more even spread of a performance.
"We were leaving too much to too few (in past weeks)," Wickers coach Len Watson said.
"At times ball use was poor, but generally (on Saturday) it was better than what it has been."
Gordon coach Corey Grills, who remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, had a simple reason for the Wickers' success.
"I think Creswick adapted to the conditions a lot better than we did and their desire to win the footy was greater for longer," Grills said.
Gordon, which remains seventh, takes on ladder-leaders Buninyong in the last round before finals, while Creswick meets Newlyn in a bid to confirm a top eight berth.
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