LAKE Boga were able to overcome a very gallant Koondrook-Barham combination on Saturday by 18 points at the Barham Recreation Reserve.
The Magpies kicked 9.14 (68) to 7.8 (50) to extend the Raiders’ losing streak to 31 matches.
The game was played in near perfect conditions, with the Raiders primed for the opportunity to record their first victory in almost two seasons against Lake Boga, who have only won two games this year despite impressive quarters of football against teams above them on the ladder.
Midfielders Billy Driscoll, Jack Shannon and wingman James Martin combining well to enable the talented Mitchell Christensen to snap truly with the right boot from 25 metres, much to the delight of the Raiders supporters.
Koondrook-Barham were up and about, with their pressure on the ball carrier a feature early.
The Magpies seemed a little unsettled but steadied midway through the term with goals to Angus Jones and the clever Koben Ryan.
To the Raiders’ credit, they kept themselves in the contest, with Josh McKinnon snapping truly from the goal square to tie up the contest at the 20-minute mark.
The game was being played at a high standard given the relative positions of the clubs on the ladder, with late goals to Lake Boga’s David Gouridis and the Raiders’ Kye Attwell, giving the Magpies a one-point lead at quarter-time.
Both coaches were extremely pleased with their players endeavour at the break, with Koondrook-Barham’s Will Callow congratulating the work rate of his back six, but demanding his players lower their eyes when passing, while Dean Helmers wanted his charges to lift their intensity, particularly at ground level.
The second term was again a very even contest, with both sides kicking two goals for the term.
Lake Boga onballer Josh Wills had the ball on a string as he cut through pack situations like a hot knife through butter, while youngster Dylan McCosh was rock solid across half-back, well supported by the reliable Zac Warne.
Two goals to Gourdis in quick succession early in the second quarter were countered by majors to Attwell and McKinnon, thus cutting Lake Boga’s margin to just four points at the main break, in what was developing into an enthralling contest.
Better players for the Raiders in the second quarter were Jack Thrum, Attwell and wingman Ash Molin.
Koondrook-Barham got ahead early in the third through Jack Shannon, who roved the pack to score.
Lake Boga began to stamp their authority on the game, however, as Ryan kicked his second after some undisciplined play by the Raiders resulted in a free kick downfield to him.
Veteran Magpie Jayden Lonergan began to come into the match across half-forward, and his strong mark and long bomb from 50 metres lifted his teammates to another level.
Lake Boga seemed to have the ascendancy and they held a 12-point lead at the last change, with Wills, Jayden Lonergan, Aaron Lonergan and McCosh, along with Gourdis, Warne and Ryan, now controlling the contest.
Callow instructed his team that their first win for the season was within their grasp if they stuck to the game plan at the break, while Helmers pleaded with his players to run like they never had before.
Lake Boga looked to shut the gate when Bodi Clune snapped the goal of the day from 35 metres out, hard pressed against the boundary line.
Sherlock kicked a nice goal after some bustling work from Jayden Lonergan, and Wills continued to dominate the contested situations in a best-on-ground performance.
Koondrook-Barham tried hard to pull back the margin, but despite Attwell marking well across half-forward, the Raiders just couldn’t take advantage of his good work.
The home side were well served by Attwell, Thrum, Molin, Driscoll, Xavier Leonard and the consistent Jack Shannon, all of whom worked hard all day.
SCORES
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Score |
| Koondrook-Barham | 3.0 | 5.2 | 6.6 | 7.8 | 50 |
| Lake Boga | 3.1 | 5.6 | 7.12 | 9.14 | 68 |
VOTES
3 – Joshua Wills (Lake Boga)
2 – Jayden Lonergan (Lake Boga)
1 – Kye Attwell (Koondrook-Barham)
