Hurstbridge are back in the top five of the Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 ladder following an impressive 22-point win over West Preston-Lakeside at J.E. Moore Park.
A five-goal first term by the Bridges created a lead that the Roosters could not claw back, as the important contest finished 11.11 (77) to 8.7 (55) in favour of the visitors.
The victory carries Hurstbridge back into fifth spot, and with their next three matches coming against opponents in the bottom half of the table, it could be a season defining moment for the club.
Caelan Anderson stepped up with three majors, including two in the third quarter, to cover Hurstbridge leading goalkicker Joel Naylor who became injured during the second quarter. Naylor himself slotted two goals in first quarter, and looked destined for a haul before his day was cut short.
The pairing of Mitchell Moschetti and Mitchell Wild commanded Hurstbridge’s centre core, leading the sides quick ball movement which sliced open the home team’s defence.
Meanwhile Luke Giles’s men have now lost five out of their past six matches, placing them 9th on the ladder and almost three wins from a finals spot.
Max Dreher was one of West Preston-Lakeside’s few consistent contributors and did all he could to win battles in midfield and move the ball forward.
A goal by Aiden Tilley from the opening bounce encouraged the Roosters, but a strong wind helped the Bridges produce five unanswered majors.
Naylor hit the scoreboard twice, whilst Anderson, Moschetti and Jacob Smith each enjoyed the rewards of efficient inside 50-kicking and pushed Hurstbridge towards a five-goal lead.
Just moments before the quarter time siren, Tilley converted a shot from a 50-metre penalty to reduce the margin to 23-points at quarter time.
In the second term, West Preston-Lakeside looked to capitalise on the wind advantage but were hampered by a torrential downpour. The game drifted into wet weather contested football and scoring slowed for both teams.
Max Dreher valiantly used his pace to clear the congestion, whilst Chris Ryall was incredibly influential.
A goal by young-gun Mohammed Yassine looked to inspire the hosts, but it was cancelled out by Bailey Jordan and Benjamin Beaven, who ensured Hurstbridge would take a 28-point lead into half-time.
Knowing their season was on the line, West-Preston Lakeside again charged out of the gates in the second half, kicking the opening goal of the third through reigning Frank Rosbrook medallist Matthew Harman.
He made his presence felt around the ground, teaming up with fellow tall Mark Kovacevic to take repeated contested marks.
However, Hurstbridge again were able to stem the momentum as Caelan Anderson produced repeat majors to ensure his side expanded the margin.
The lead would push out to 37 points, but Aiden Tilley’s third goal of the match kept the men in red, white and blue believing as they entered the final break down by five straight goals.
Early goals were traded in the first ten-minutes, but it was Mohammed Yassine who looked to inspire his team’s comeback.
He defied physics by producing a miraculous mid-air soccer kick from the boundary which floated over the goal-umpire’s head.
Chris Ryall then missed two consecutive set-shots, and as time depleted, Hurstbridge edged closer to victory.
Their momentous performance was capped by 19-year-old Harry O’Brien, who kicked his first senior goal for the club after missing numerous attempts throughout the afternoon.
A late major by West Preston-Lakeside premiership captain Ahmed Saad could not rejuvenate his side, as they slumped to a 22-point defeat.
