Border Mail |
WALLA showed tremendous spirit to score an emotion-charged nine-point victory against Billabong Crows at Urana on Saturday.
FUNDRAISER: Support for Craig
In a fitting tribute to coach Craig Mannagh, the Hoppers produced a stirring performance to outlast the Crows 13.6 (84) to 11.9 (75).
Mannagh has spent the past week in Royal Melbourne Hospital after being knocked unconscious in a sickening head clash against Murray Magpies last week.
Mannagh’s two sons, Daniel, 21, and Shaun, 15, took the toss before playing an instrumental role in the victory.
Daniel showed plenty of dash across half-back and was the springboard for many of the Hoppers attacking moves but it was his younger brother who stole the spotlight.
Shaun continually found space in the Hoppers midfield and frustrated the Crows defence with five goals to clinch best-on-ground honours.He had plenty of support from Jydon Neagle who continually pumped the ball inside 50 and ran hard all day.
Walla skipper Tim Webb said the victory was testament to Mannagh and how much he meant to the club since taking the coaching job this season.
It is the second devastating setback for the club in less than 12-months after the death of coach Merv Neagle in August.
“It was good to put a tumultuous week behind us and get the result we were after,” Webb said.
“Pre-match we just tried to put aside the emotional baggage and focus on sticking to the structures that Mannagh had put in place.
“It was obviously a tough week for Daniel and Shaun but they led the team out and were looking forward to getting out there and having a kick.
“Shaun in particular was just fearless and unbelievable to watch for a 15-year-old.
“We went through a similar experience after losing Merv last season and learnt a lot from that.
“Memories came flooding back because the last time Merv coached the club was also against Billabong Crows.”
Webb was also amazed by the support the club had received from the football community.
“Paul Spargo took training on Thursday night,” he said.
“We were talking to Spargo about Craig and how committed Craig is and doesn’t leave a stone unturned.
“That’s one of the biggest things we have noticed about Craig is his professionalism and how well he is respected not only within the club but the community.
“Even when we were down the street in Albury on Saturday morning wearing our Walla shirts every second person wanted to stop and talk to you and offer their best wishes.
“Unfortunately sometimes it takes something like this for everyone to come out of the woodwork.”
