LOWER PLENTY jumped into third spot on the Division 1 ladder following a thrilling three-point victory over Macleod at Montmorency Park in Round 15.
The Bears led at every charge and, despite the Roos snatching the lead in the last term, were composed under pressure and converted their opportunities which ultimately got them over the line in the 13.7 (85) to 12.10 (82) result.
The thrilling result ensured Vin Dattoli’s side jumped up two places on the ladder after starting the weekend in fifth place.
Such is the evenness of the Division 1 competition, the narrow loss saw Macleod slip from fourth place all the way down to seventh on the back of a second consecutive close defeat.
Similar to North Melbourne in the AFL, the Roos keep continue to prove themselves as one of the most inconsistent sides in the league, despite two solid wins against top-placed Greensborough during the year.
Macleod did have its chances throughout the match, having more scoring shots and more of the play in their forward half than the Bears.
However, in what is becoming a recurring problem for the Roos, their inaccuracy in front of the big sticks has cost them again. The issue may well see them miss out on finals action.
The Bears got off to a great start, drawing first blood through Bowen Zimbolani. But the Roos, after some missed chances, got onto a roll, slamming home the next three goals to amass a very handy 14-point lead midway through the first term.
In his second game for Lower Plenty, Campbell Brown broke the drought for the Bears as he goaled. This was followed by another two to skipper Darcy Barden and one to Bill Barden as Lower went on a four-goal run to take a 10-point lead into quarter time.
The Roos had lost all of their early momentum late in the first quarter and they seemed to still be down in the slumps as Bill Barden goaled for the Bears to give them a 16-point lead in the second term.
But Anthony Doherty was able to revive Macleod, booting the next two goals to get the Roos within five points of the Bears. Brett Wilding was able to continue this spurt of form as he goaled to put the Roos in front by a point.
Darcy Barden and Brown replied the Bears to regain the lead by 10 points, before Doherty was again able to respond for the Roos to get them within four points nearing the end of the second term.
A couple of goal exchanges saw out the quarter, including another to Doherty, with the Bears leading by a slender three points at the main break.
Nick Mackay goaled from long range to get the Bears off to the ideal start in the third quarter, stretching the margin out to nine points. But Cathal Corr was able to take a great intercepting grab off a Lower kick-in and slotted his resulting shot at goal.
The Bears then kicked two in quick succession through Bill Barden and David Di Stefano but the Roos replied right at the death of the third quarter. It was Jack Langford who threw the ball on his left boot and it sailed through the big sticks right on the stroke of the three-quarter time siren.
With the game, and potentially both teams’ finals chances in the balance, the fourth quarter couldn’t have been any more important for both clubs.
Patrick Martin and Doherty put through two quick goals to get the Macleod faithful on their feet, as they took a four-point lead five minutes into the final term.
In a gripping and tightly contested last quarter, Lower Plenty’s Dillan Ronalds was able to sell the dummy and sidestep his way through to snap a great goal on his left as the Bears took a two-point lead midway through the term.
A one-on-one contest between Bill Barden and Matt Yarwood was the match decider as Barden earned a free kick seconds before the final siren rang out to award the Bears a moral-boosting win.
Darcy Barden, William Morley and Matthew Barden were the Bears best in a great win, whilst Doherty, John Andrew and Sean Driscoll were the Roos’ best in defeat.
The Bears next tackle arch-rival and neighbour Montmorency in another blockbuster match, while Macleod must get back on the winners’ list when it travels to Bundoora.
Final score: Lower Plenty 13.7 (85) def Macleod 12.10 (82)
