Fourth Quarter
1st Minute – After Michael Dalrymple failed to hold onto a tough marking attempt inside the Blues attacking 50, Jaxon Neagle had a chance to win back possession for Balranald. Instead, Neagle fumbled, which opened the door for Troy Coates to swoop, kicking the goal which gave Kerang an early eight-point buffer. Kerang 9.8 (62) – Balranald 7.12 (54)
8th minute – Trailing by 14-points and with the match slipping away, Matthew and Jydon Neagle combined to send Balranald inside 50. Ben Fuller then receives a free kick after being held by Troy Davis in the marking contest, with the Roos full-forward converting the set shot to bring the margin back to eight-points. Kerang 10.8 (68) – Balranald 8.12 (60).
23rd minute – After the Roos closed to within a kick, the ball is on Kerang’s half forward line. Matthew Neagle swoops on a Nick Lang hit out before being tackled by Ash Davis. Kerang skipper Josh Nitschke picks up the loose ball, runs inside 50 and drills what turns out to be the match winning goal. Kerang 11.9 (75) – Balranald 9.12 (66)
25th minute – With Balranald trailing by nine-points and time ticking away, Balranald forces a stoppage inside their forward 50. From the contest, the ball squirts out the back to Ethan Gant, who snaps across the body and kicks it out on the full. This would be Balranald’s last shot at goal for the game. Kerang 11.9 (75) – Balranald 9.12 (66)
26th minute – Troy Davis is able to spoil the ball away from Ben Fuller deep in Kerang’s defence and find the boundary line, with yet another scuffle emerging from the contest. Desperate to keep the ball moving, the boundary umpire quickly throws the ball back into play, allowing Josh Hann, Ryan Gillingham and Rylee Smith to take the ball from one end of the ground to the other. Kerang 11.9 (75) – Balranald 9.12 (66)
28th minute – With the ball in dispute in the middle of the ground, Drew Lloyd’s attempt to run onto the loose ball is thwarted by Kerang’s Nick Lang, who dives on the ball and fires off a long handball to Ryan Gillingham. Gillingham is able to hit Rylee Smith inside 50, who marks and soaks up 25 precious seconds before kicking a behind, after it was touched off the boot. Kerang 11.10 (76) – Balranald 9.12 (66)
