WHEN a team has lost every game this year you could be excused for thinking Kerang was a “shoe-in” to add percentage on the ladder with an easy win over Balranald at home.
Instead, spectators were greeted by a completely different story.
On a heavy ground, Balranald came to make a statement and, for the entire game, the Roos pushed, pressed, scrambled and outplayed the Blues, to fall agonizingly short by eight points in an absolute thriller.
In the end, it was Kerang’s experience that really made the difference.
With the inclusion of Cameron Barrett and Joel Stevenson in the Roos line-up and Kerang missing Troy Davis and Blake Shay, Balranald looked so much taller and heavier than the Blues which proved pivotal as the Roos dominated the ruck and much of the contested marking duels.
For Kerang, the ground-work was mostly left up to the usual suspects in Jarryd Pertzel, Ryan Gillingham, Bronson Booth, Luke Livingston and Troy Coates.
While Brandon Hayes and Mark Lloyd were defending well down back, Bradlee Pay was prominent although he got injured in the second quarter and was helped from the ground, he returned in the second half with some dashing plays.
Matheson was quiet early but stood up in the second quarter and was instrumental for the rest of the game.
For Balranald, Ben Fuller was magnificent in the ruck.
His tireless work and marking around the packs was exceptional.
His never-say-die attitude inspired the team as Bradley Williams, Benjamin Jones, Raven Jolliffe, Cameron Barrett and Kobe Lloyd joined in to make it a real contest.
In the first quarter, the game was tight and after a miss set-shot by Livingston for his second, Fuller made Kerang pay with a late goal to lead by one-point at the change.
The second quarter started hard and furious and a clash between Pay of Kerang and Weekley for the Roos saw both players on the sideline for the remainder of the quarter.
A late goal by Soille for the Roos kept them within a point at half time.
The third quarter saw both teams open up their play, scoring goal for goal as neither side was willing to give ground.
For the quarter Kerang kicked three while the Roos kicked four and led by two points at the final change.
The final quarter was tense as both sides refused to yield, however a great running single effort by Pay to Coates for a goal, eventually sealed the game.
