A dramatic battle between Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 rivals Greensborough and West Preston-Lakeside went right down to the wire, as both sides couldn’t be separated when the final siren sounded.
After an early goal in the final term from the Roosters, Greensborough were able to keep the ball inside their attacking 50 for most of the quarter. However, a late major against the run of play from Josh D’Intinosante gave the visitors a one-point lead with just under three minutes remaining.
Sensing the desperation, the Borough were able to kick a behind with one last push forward, the siren ringing around Greensborough War Memorial Park just moments later with the final score reading 12.15 (87) to 13.9 (87).
The result means the top five remains as it was at the beginning of the round, setting up a massive round seven of action next week with the Borough (2nd) facing Heidelberg (1st) as well as the Roosters (5th) hosting Montmorency (4th).
“I think a draw was a fitting result,” said Greensborough coach Saade Ghazi, who was impressed that his side stayed in the contest throughout the entire match, particularly in the third term when West Preston-Lakeside kicked three goals to one.
“I think the learning curve for us was that we were able to respond and stay in the game when West Preston-Lakeside challenged us, that facet of the game is really important for us,” he said.
“We had our chances in the last quarter, but I would much rather finish that game with two points than none, it would’ve been really disappointing if we lost that game.”
Ghazi also highlighted how the effort came from all 22 players on the field, rather than relying on individual brilliance.
“We struggled to pick our best players, we didn’t think anyone stood out compared to others, I thought it was one of those days where players came in and out, but it was more of a team effort than an individual one,” he said.
You would assume the game would’ve begun in a scrappy manner due to the wet conditions, but the first term saw 10 goals kicked between both sides.
The Borough looked to be in control for the majority of the quarter, with 2019 Frank Rosbrook Medallist Tom Bell superb up forward kicking three majors.
But in the next two terms, the Roosters slowly fought their way back in front. Classy goals in the second and third quarters from the likes of Steven Callahan, Nathan Valladares, Aidan Tilley and Adam Valeri gave the visitors a slim five-point lead at three quarter time.
The Borough would ultimately rue their missed opportunities on goal in the final term, as despite registering eight scoring shots, the Borough could only muster two goals.
West Preston-Lakeside kicked the first and last majors of the quarter, but for the other periods of the term, the Borough had all the ascendency, doing well to keep the ball inside their attacking half and kicking the final behind to finish all square.
