Border Mail |
BARNAWARTHA is one step away from securing an unlikely Tallangatta and District league finals berth after upsetting reigning premier Mitta United by four points on Saturday.
The Tigers will sneak into the elimination final if they defeat Chiltern next week with the loser of the Kiewa-Sandy Creek and Rutherglen clash to miss out, though a draw between the Hawks and Cats is Barnawartha’s only other threat.
“It was a tough slog like we knew it would be,” Barnawartha coach Mark Sarau said.
“We got a full team effort and that got us over the line.
“Chiltern has always been a nemesis to this club though and we still have to get the job done — that’s all we are worried about.”
Barnawartha received a boost before the opening bounce when news filtered through that Blues’ colossus Nick Fraser had tweaked his hamstring at training on Thursday night and wouldn’t be playing.
He was joined on the sidelines by Jarrod Gorupic and Tom Turner.
But the Tigers were worthy winners after leading at every change.
Josh Spence played superbly at centre half-forward, Cameron McNeill hard in the clinches and Ryan Lempa shutting down Mitta United captain Alex Beggs.
Sarau conceded the absence of Fraser was telling.
“We were lucky because Nick Fraser’s hugely important for them,” he said.
“When we got the team sheet through saying he wasn’t playing we were pretty happy.
“Our boys came to play and I thought we got something out of everyone.”
Mitta United coach Clinton Gilson refused to blame injuries for the loss.
“Their season was on the line and they were hungrier than us,” Gilson said.
“We have a big game ahead of us now against Wahgunyah.”
Mitta United, who pegged the deficit back to four points with a goal on the final siren, were best served by Paul Giltrap, Darcy Eaton, Richard Turnbull and Nick Bowles.
Meanwhile, Dederang-Mount Beauty gained another shot of confidence ahead of the finals by dismantling fellow premiership contender Thurgoona by 36 points at Thurgoona on Saturday.
Despite going into the clash without No.1 goalkicker Daniel Bradshaw, the Bombers were relentless as they peeled off their 11th straight win to stretch their lead at the top of the ladder.
Coach Marc Almond said it was pleasing to beat any top-five side.
“It gives you confidence going in that you have beaten all the sides around you near the top of the ladder,” Almond said.
“You walk out of the ground thinking it’s a good one to tick off before the finals, but I guess it doesn’t mean that much to be honest.
“The most pleasing thing was that we had a really even spread of contributors.
“You could have thrown a blanket over 15 or 16 guys who could have been our best players.”
Dederang-Mount Beauty set up the win with five goals to one in the opening quarter with Dale Lappin and Andrew Hill ensuring Darren Bradshaw had plenty of opportunities against Bulldog Aydan Brown.
Thurgoona held its own after half-time with Mark Haydon leading the way and support coming from Luke Donnan, Danuel Kannenberg and Brad Sutcliffe.
“We started pretty well and after half-time it was a bit of a slog for both teams as I guess that’s what can happen as we play a fairly defensive sort of game,” Almond said. “It was a solid win.”
Kiewa-Sandy Creek crushed Yackandandah by 87 points.
With Jack Andrew and Ryan Wallace dominating at ground level, the Hawks led from start to finish with coach Ryan Richardson and Guy Telford doing the bulk of the damage in attack.
Rutherglen blitzed Wodonga Saints by 108 points, Wahgunyah edged out Chiltern and Tallangatta proved too strong for Beechworth.
