WHETHER it was emotion because of the disaster that has befallen the Woorinen Football Netball Club or whether it was just desire to achieve what they believed was their true destiny, it was a profound result for the Tigers to upset Kerang at Riverside Park on Saturday.
To a man, the sometimes-maligned Tigers gave their all for the honour of the club and succeeded in keeping that goal of playing finals a step closer to reality.
Right from the first minute it was the Tigers first into the packs. It was the Tigers fighting for possession in the mud and, as the persistent rain fell, so Woorinen redoubled its persistence and in the first stanza they took the initiative away from the more polished home side.
The visitors made the ball their objective and there was nothing that deterred them in that first term and they went to the first break with a handy, hard-earned three goal lead.
They had outstanding players at that early stage, none more outstanding than Victor Siciliano, Jye Barry and Doug Beames who had justified their individual efforts by slotting a major each and they were joined by Adam Johnson who also slithered through a fine goal to round out the term.
Early it was Aaron Cadd and Kyle Steicke also once again holding that Tiger defence together.
As expected the reigning premier took stock at the break and were much more composed going into the second term and soon were getting a bigger share of the ball.
Blues co-coach Travis Matheson was showing strength in the packs and getting the ball out where Ryan Gillingham was getting possessions, while Troy Coates and Luke Cotchett were starting to show their class.
Blue James Murphy was getting some touches and with majors to the aforementioned Coates and Cotchett Kerang was suddenly back in the contest.
As the siren signalled the end of an enthralling first half the margin was back to just five points and the question was on every ones lips. Was the party over for the gallant Tigers?
Early into the third and that question became louder as the Blues goaled to snatch the lead by the barest of margins.
Luke Cotchett goaled off the ground after some fine play by James Murphy and Troy Coates goaled as the general feeling was that the home side had found their mojo and were on their way to another victory.
Not to be denied, the Tigers were not nearly tamed as the fought doggedly to move the ball forward with Dwayne Hamlyn still in the play and the visitors backline was holding firm as Aaron Cadd went forward to kick what was a very timely goal.
He joined Adam Johnson and Jye Barry in adding a second major to their game tally.
Leading by a goal going into the final term the Tigers were determined and relentless and bottled up play in their forward half for the entire quarter.
The Kerang side went scoreless while the victorious Tigers peppered the goal to rattle on another five behinds and showed almost miraculous courage to guts out what a meritorious win in very tough conditions.
This win sees the Tigers in the top four and now their challenge is to stay there with games coming against Lake Boga and Tyntynder.
One can only wish them luck.
