ST Pauls shored up its spot in the top five by the barest of margins in a thriller against Mordialloc at McKinnon Oval. The Doggies fell over the line 8.6 (54) to 8.5 (53) in a low-scoring struggle in windy conditions.
After a poor first half, the Bloods worked their way back into the game in the third term with a big effort into the strong breeze.
“Our first half was pretty ordinary,” conceded Mordialloc coach Sam Anstey after the game.
“But we won the third quarter against the wind and gave ourselves a real chance to come home with it in the last.”
Earlier, the likes of Keiran Knox, Matt Herbstreit, Brad Gilder and Nick Halliday had put the Doggies on the path to victory with intelligent football in the conditions. Brendan Dawes and Liam Wilson were also impressive for the hosts.
But moves by Anstey and his coaching team at half-time proved effective as the Bloods mounted their challenge.
Defender Simon Fragiacome went into the middle, fellow half-back Anthony Scafidi went forward and another back flanker in Dave Marguglio was thrown onto the ball.
“These blokes in their 30s brought us back into the game,” said Anstey.
The Bloods’ fightback was brave and they levelled the scores with about five minutes of play left in the game.
But they never hit the front at any stage and a behind to the Doggies sealed the issue. Although the Doggies had managed just one goal in the second half, a Bloods victory may well have been deemed a steal.
To read to the full Leader article click
HERE.
To listen to the radio team's call of the Match of the Round clash between Carrum Patterson Lakes and East Malvern from Roy Dore Reserve click
HERE.
As always, Wiz, Coutta and the Bug recapped all of the weekend's action on the Sunday Football Netball Show. To listen to their show click
HERE.
