Border Mail |
WANGARATTA ace James Wong says he’ll be fit to tackle Yarrawonga this week after sitting out Saturday’s pulsating draw against Corowa-Rutherglen.
Wong, who is joint-leader of the Doug Strang medal with Brendan Fevola at the halfway mark of the season, spent almost all of Saturday’s contest against the Roos on the bench after a spectacular fall at the six-minute mark of the first quarter left him groggy and unable to return to the ground.
He landed on his neck and wasn’t risked, leaving the livewire forward to watch on in frustration as the Pies’ finals hopes took another hit.
A scrappy goal off the ground from Roo Jarred Lane, with about a minute to go, levelled the scores at Norm Minns Oval.
“It was frustrating having to watch on but I’ll be right,” Wong said.
“I landed on my neck and had a bit of concussion.”
While both teams collected two points on the day, it was clear Corowa-Rutherglen emerged the happier side.
The Roos, who were on the bottom of the ladder two rounds ago, now sit seventh and have claimed six points from their past two games.
They can all but eliminate their chances of picking up the wooden spoon with a win over Wodonga, the side they beat in round one, this week.
Coach Adrian Pavese said there was still a long way to go, however, he had seen signs lately to suggest the Roos were starting to turn the corner.
“We played our best quarter for the year in the third quarter on Saturday,” Pavese said.
“Unfortunately we couldn’t get over the line.
“But both teams had their chances.
“I was really pleased our boys kept coming because Wangaratta is a good side.
“I was really pleased with our fight.”
Lachlan McLarty, who started the game on Wong, was freed up following Wong’s injury and went on to be Corowa-Rutherglen’s best player on the day.
Kade Kuschert and Lane combined for five goals up forward, effectively covering the loss of Brett Fruend who will miss at least the next month with a broken hand.
Wangaratta coach Mark Knobel said the Pies were again left to rue missed opportunities in front of goal.
A week after spurning a golden chance to sink arch-rival Wangaratta Rovers in the derby, the Pies again sprayed easy shots in the final term to spoil what should have been a certain victory.
They had 10 scoring shots in the final quarter, yet managed two goals.
“It was the same old story,” Knobel said.
“We’ve been playing some decent footy but we didn’t take our chances.
“We missed some real sodas.”
