Congupna came away with a huge win on Saturday, upsetting the previously undefeated Echuca United at home, 9.10(64) to 8.12(60).
In rapidly fading light and the rain showing no signs of abating, it was the Road players who stood with arms outstretched at the final siren, while Eagles players slumped to the ground after the hard fought and contested match.
Echuca United went into its attacking 50m twice in the last couple of minutes as it sought a match-winning goal, but the Congupna defence stood tall, as it did throughout the rain-soaked contest.
Certainly, no-one could say the visitors did not deserve their victory, showing a sustained four-quarter physical effort beyond what would have been expected from the then ninth-placed side.
The Road also received many free kicks which upset the faithful home crowd, but Congupna earned a lot of those simply by being first to the ball and poor discipline from United also saw several 50m penalties paid out.
The Eagles’ best players were found in their defence and midfield, with Jake Guinan playing a solid role at full-back, complemented by the likes of Jarrod Prior, Clint Starkey, Daniel Cavallaro and Ryan Prendergast, while coach Scott Beattie was a constant source of effort.
Craig Frost also impressed with his game, as did Daniel Barwick, while Farran Priest (four goals) and Rowan Hill (one) were constant threats.
For the travelling side, Daniel Bowles was terrific off half-back and the experienced Paul Simpson led the way in and under the packs.
Paul Kenelley also played well, as did youngsters Aaron Cuthbert and Jack Linehan down back and on a wing, playing their roles really well, while Mitch Sidebottom booted three goals.
In a tight opening term, it was the visitors who kicked the first goal of the game when Alex Hall booted the ball clear of the mud in the goal-square.
A dominant passage of time was rewarded with a goal for the home side through Troy Ferrier, but it was the Road who adapted to the conditions quicker.
The visitors’ tall players were dropping back and proving effective at intercepting passes, doing well despite the slippery ball.
A late free kick and 50m penalty saw the Road take the lead back at the end of the quarter.
Beattie described his team’s play as ‘‘gutless’’ in the opening term, angry at his players not going in first for the ball and disappointed with their discipline.
The home side then came out strongly but was unable to capitalise as the Road converted a set shot and goal from another 50m penalty to go out to a match-high 15-point lead.
However, the Eagles came back again and goals to Hill, Justin Saker and Priest gave the team a two-point lead at half-time.
Again it was the visitors who kicked the first goal of the term when the teams re-emerged and when Brayden Lambert goaled off the ground, Congupna looked like it could go on to extend the advantage.
But the Eagles then produced the best passage of play for the match, going coast-to-coast and resulting in a major to Priest, who converted from another free kick just before the siren as his team led by four points at the final break.
A Bryn Barnes-Webb set shot earned the Eagles their biggest lead of the match of 10 points at the start of the last term, but a long goal to Mitch Sidebottom reduced the margin once more.
With the game growing ever more tense and players missing chances at both ends, a moment of class from Kenelley gave his team the lead when he turned his man and ran into an open goal.
Heath Barton pushed the gap out to nine points with a vital goal, but the game was not done with yet as Priest responded, but the Road repelled two more approaches into their defensive 50m to hold on for a memorable win.
