Border Mail |
A SPECTACULAR 10-goal performance from sharpshooter Nick Brockley wasn’t enough to lift Wahgunyah to victory in its Tallangatta and District league showdown against Mitta United at Wahgunyah on Saturday.
Brockley’s heroics saw the Lions fall four points short — 21.8 (134) to 20.10 (130) — of a memorable win in a clash that had massive momentum swings from start to finish.
It was a crucial triumph for Mitta United who have played Thurgoona, Kiewa-Sandy Creek, Beechworth, Chiltern, Rutherglen and Wahgunyah in the opening six rounds and lost only once.
Blues’ coach Clinton Gilson conceded Brockley was near unstoppable and said it was a relief to collect the points.
“Brockley was awesome,” Gilson said.
“I don’t think he missed.
“He’s not that tall, but is a very good player.
“There were a lot of momentum changes during the match and we were lucky to get home.
“It was a really important game and the boys did well to come out on top as it could have went either way in the last quarter.”
While Brockley was brilliant with 10 of Wahgunyah’s 20 majors, Mitta United had an even spread of contributors with Nathan Reynoldson leading the way in a frenetic final term.
He continually cleared the ball from stoppages which opened the door for James Gray and David Hansford to create havoc in attack.
Joel Wilson, Michael Duncan, Nick Fraser and Zac Pleming were also solid for Mitta United.
Brockley, who played senior football for Ovens and Murray heavyweight Yarrawonga two years ago, received support from Terence Jones, Aaron Robins, Rhys Carlisle and Rob Skiathitis.
Kiewa-Sandy Creek ran over the top of Rutherglen to win by 30 points.
With only nine points separating the teams at the final change, Hawk coach Ryan Richardson asked for a big effort and Adam Telford, Guy Telford, Jason Bartel and Tory Ziems responded in style with five goals to two.
Lindsay Seymour and Matthew Farrugia battled gamely for Rutherglen.
Dederang-Mount Beauty edged out Tallangatta by two points at Tallangatta.
The Hoppers looked set to break their drought for much of the contest, but fell agonisingly short despite the best efforts of Curtis Mollison, Richard Spink and Kaine Parsons.
Andrew Cardwell, Louie Iaria and Andrew Hill were prominent for the Bombers.
Thurgoona defeated Yackandandah by 94 points.
