Rokewood-Corindhap has performed a remarkable turnaround in form, stunning Skipton in the RegionalOne Lexton Plains Football League.The Grasshoppers played a strong brand of football in sloppy conditions, determined not to be overrun like they were last week.
Falling behind in the first term, things did not look good for the third placed team.
But a better second term had them in front at half time.
This was the first time Skipton had trailed at a break for the season and the test was to see if the Emus could fight back.
Even though they kicked just one goal after the main break, that goal put them back in front before a second goal to Carl Matheson from a 50 metre penalty regained the lead for Rokewood-Corindhap.
The last term was struggle to the finish, with both backlines doing their bit to get their team a win.
But it was the backline of the Grasshoppers, including Leigh Russell and Chris Hall which kept Skipton to a losing score for the first time this year.
Final scores were 6.10 (46) to 4.15 (39).
Skipton lost Graeme Lench and Nathan Dixon during the game, but Rokewood-Corindhap had Stuart Matheson, Mark Ashmore and Shaun Carroll out.
It was a psychological win for the Grasshoppers just two weeks out from finals, as Skipton face the task of recovering from a loss.
Goals: Rokewood-Corindhap: Carl Matheson 3, Xavier Ryan, Denis Biscan, Cam Griffith.
Skipton: Darren Fletcher, Jake Harris, Danny George, Kiernan Molloy.
Best: Rokewood-Corindhap: Ross Arnall, Shane Boyington, Karl Begbie.
Skipton: Heath Anderson, Cam Postlethwaite, Lachlan Wilkie.
Natte-Bealiba has kept its 2009 winning record in tact against Lexton.
The Swans proved too good for the Tigers for the third time, and in so doing has also kept alive its finals chance.
Pace was the key to their victory, as the likes of Rhys Long, Nathan Ross and Stephen Ross exposed an area Lexton was unable to compete in.
The 29 point win, 15.13 (103) to 10.14 (74) has put Natte-Bealiba in a great spot to claim fifth.
Lexton faces an uphill battle to snare the last finals spot.
Mark Shaw booted seven goals in a magnificent display for the Tigers, but he had too few friends on the day.
Goals: Natte-Bealiba: Steven Quinn 4, Jamie Andrews 3, Steve Ross, Rhys Long 2, Nathan Ross, Brent Mortlock, Jordan Liddle, Nathan McClelland.
Lexton: Mark Shaw 7, Tim Oliver, Tom Brand, Jeremy Jenkins.
Best: Natte-Bealiba: Rhys Long, Nathan Ross, Steve Ross.
Lexton: Mark Shaw, Nathan Barnes, Neil Miller.
Carngham-Linton again proved too good for Illabarook, but it was not before a battle in deplorable conditions.
The Saints won by 22 points, 10.6 (66) to 5.14 (44).
Illabarook started well, with Carngham-Linton getting on top during the middle stages.
Undisciplined acts by Illabarook in the final term cost them some 50 metre penalties, while inaccuracy in front of goal in the same period also proved costly.
Ryan Dunstan kicked three Bulldog goals, with Mitch Giddings equaling the feat for Carngham-Linton.
Goals: Carngham-Linton: Mitch Giddings, Joel Kelly, Jake Pring 2, Clint Ladiges, Tim Clarke.
Illabarook: Ryan Dunstan 3, Steven Tung, Dave Webster.
Best: Carngham-Linton: Simon Jamieson, Clint Ladiges, Guy Glenister.
Illabarook: David Tung, Jake Cahill, Ryan Dunstan.
Navarre returned to the winners list after three losses, with a 34 point margin over Ararat Eagles, 16.8 (104) to 11.4 (70).
The Grasshoppers were in control from quarter time, but never got too far away from a plucky Ararat.
Aiden Bell played despite a hamstring concern, and Craig Cooper also played after originally not being named through unavailability.
But those inclusions were not enough to score a win.
Sam Robertson did most damage in front of goal for Navarre with five.
Natte-Bealiba play Ararat Eagles in five days with the winner a chance for finals.
Goals: Navarre: Sam Robertson 5, Josh Rathgeber 3, Wayne Driscoll 2, Ben Martin, Tom Newton, James Watts.
Ararat Eagles: Ben Birch-Burton 3, Dan O’Connell 2, Craig Cooper, Jamie Elder, Aiden Bell, Richard O’Connell, Luke Toomey, Ash Leggett.
Best: Navarre: Ben Martin, Bryce Tickner, Sam Robertson.
Ararat Eagles: Dan O’Connell, Richard O’Connell, Justin Coole.
Next weeks games: Final round
Saturday
Carngham-Linton v Skipton
Rokewood-Corindhap v Illabarook
Navarre v Lexton
Natte-Bealiba v Ararat Eagles
This week is the final home and away round, with the top four settled, but the other four clubs all not without a chance of making fifth.
Skipton, Carngham-Linton, Rokewood-Corindhap and Navarre are safe.
Illabarook, Lexton, Natte-Bealiba and Ararat Eagles are still in the running for fifth.
If Illabarook win, it will be in.
If Lexton win an Illabarook lose, the Tigers will be in.
If Natte-Bealiba win, and Illabarook and Lexton lose, the Swans are in.
If Ararat Eagles win, and Illabarook and Lexton lose, it will come down to percentage.
It is a mouth watering end to a fascinating season.
By Rhys Brehaut
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