SOUTH MORANG staged a remarkable final quarter comeback to stun St Mary’s at Whatmough Park in Round 14 of Division 3.
Trailing by 22 points at three quarter time, the Lions piled on six goals to two in the last term to edge out the Burra by four points, winning 11.9 (75) to 10.11 (71).
Both teams endured testing conditions, with driving rain meaning neither team was able to grab early ascendency.
As a result, both teams struggled early in the game when entering their forwards 50m, starving their forwards of scoring opportunities.
St Mary’s managed to pull away late in the first quarter following a Jarrod Millet goal, taking a handy 11-point lead to quarter time.
Lions forward Matthew Campbell was able to convert back to back goals to get his team off the mark and back into the contest mid-way through the second term, as South Morang started to gain control of the game.
The Lions held a six-point lead in the shadows of half time before a last-gasp goal from deep in the forward pocket from John Desmond levelled the scores heading into the long break.
The Burra were able to salvage some momentum just before half time, but the second quarter was largely dominated by the Lions.
St Mary’s was able to control large parts of the third term, putting the Lions defence under extraordinary pressure and opening up a 22-point lead.
The Burra missed a number of vital set shots late in the term that could have opened up a match winning lead, but instead they left the door slightly ajar for the visiting Lions.
It was apparent early in the last quarter that there was another momentum swing, with South Morang now putting St Marys under a lot of pressure to hold on for victory.
The Burra became ill-disciplined towards the back end of the game, at one stage giving away two 50 metre penalties in a row that took the Lions from deep in defence, to lining up for goal.
A late set shot goal from Lion Mitchell Buckley cut the margin to one point with just minutes remaining, with South Morang doing all the attacking late in the game.
The Lions were able to gain possession late and the ball found its way into the hands of former Eagle now Lion, Joshua Stroud.
Stroud was able to convert a clutch goal from just outside the 50 metre arc to give South Morang a one-goal buffer with seconds remaining.
The siren sounded with South Morang completing a big final quarter comeback and tightening its grip on third position.
A very young St Mary’s side was brave, but ultimately let the game slip away after being firmly in control.
The conditions did play a big factor in deciding the result, with 16 of the 21 goals scored to one end of the ground.
Jarrod Shaw and John Desmond were impressive for the hosts, while Mitch Hicks and Duane Russell enjoyed good outings for the Lions.
St Mary’s travel to A.K. Lines Reserve this Saturday to take on Watsonia, while South Morang is back at home in a tough clash with second-placed Reservoir.
Final score: St Mary’s 10.11 (71) def by South Morang 11.9 (75)
