Macleod kept its finals hopes alive with a convincing 35-point away win over Lower Plenty in Round 17.
Inaccurate kicking was the story of the match for the Roos who were still able to come away with a 16.21 (117) to 12.10 (82) win at Montmorency Park.
Victorious coach Garry Ramsay highlighted his team’s tackling pressure around the ground as one of the main factors contributing to the win.
“I think it was our good tackling, even though we weren’t putting it on the scoreboard in the first half, was what really broke the game open,” Ramsay said.
“I thought it was a real arm wrestle in the first half and it looked like it was going to be a low scoring game, then in the second half it really opened up and both sides starting hitting the scoreboard.”
Kicking against the wind in the first term, the home side was able to draw first blood with a goal to Matthew Vasilevski.
Macleod hit its stride midway through the first term and kicked the next two goals, including a superb team run from half back to set up Justin White’s first of three majors for the afternoon.
The Bears were able to kick one more major late in the term to steady the margin at eight points going into the first change.
Both teams came out hard at the ball in the second quarter and scoring opportunities were generally limited. Unfortunately, neither team was able to take advantage of their chances when they did arise, with a total of 3.8 kicked between the two sides for the term.
A late goal to Reece Geary brought the Bears within striking distance at the main change, leaving his side just four points behind Macleod.
Both teams learnt from their wayward kicking after half time with an onslaught of goals coming in the third term.
Macleod used the breeze to its advantage and kicked the first three goals to extend its lead beyond 20 points.
But just as the visitors looked like they could run away with the game, Lower Plenty was able to slot three of its own to remain in the contest.
Macleod was able to halt the home side’s run and booted three of the next four goals to go into the final term with a 20-point lead.
Given the big momentum shifts throughout the afternoon, the game looked like it could still go either way in the early stages of the final term, with a desperate Lower Plenty side trying to avoid relegation and doing everything to will itself over the line.
It was goal for goal midway through the quarter before Macleod showed why it is in the finals hunt and ran away with the game late in proceedings.
Tough nut Cathal Corr was again brilliant for the Roos, featuring in the best alongside regular contributor Justin White,
Macleod will now focus its attention to next week’s match against Greensborough, a must-win if it is to have any chance to play finals.
The Roos will also be closely watching the Heidelberg vs Eltham match, where a Heidleberg win will give them the opportunity to take fifth spot on the ladder if they themselves can account for the Boro.
Lower Plenty will look to finish the season on a positive note when it travels next door to play first-placed Montmorency.
Final score: Lower Plenty 12.10 (82) def by Macleod 16.21 (117)
