Half-back flanker Andy Ray is the toast of Clayton this week after steering the Clays to a thrilling one-point win over St Pauls in a riveting contest at Meade Reserve on Saturday.
The win saw the Clays grab fifth spot from the Doggies in the enthralling battle for finals places.
When livewire St Pauls forward Travis Ridgway snagged his third goal of the day to put the Dogs in front by 11 points with a little over a minute to go, even the most ardent Clayton supporters thought it was all over.
But enter Ray, who had already dominated for much of the game. A quick kick out of the centre by the ex-Warragul defender found coach Nick Scanlon, who played on and kicked truly to put the Clays back within five points.
The visitors won the ball out of the centre and surged forward, but that man Ray was there again to take the mark.
An infringement by the player on the mark drew a 50-minute penalty and with 11 seconds left on the clock, the defender, who hadn’t kicked a goal all season, unleashed a booming punt from 50 metres out, against the wind, to pinch the unlikeliest of victories.
The siren sounded soon after.
To read the full Leader review
CLICK HERE
Listen to the SFNL Radio boys' call of the
FIRST HALF ACTION as well as the
THRILLING SECOND HALF HERE
The Sunday Footy Show lads review all the weekend's action
HERE
