ONE of the best last quarters of the season was marred by controversy as bottom-placed Koondrook-Barham and finals contenders Lake Boga fought out a pulsating draw at Barham Recreation Reserve.
Boga were down by a goal late into the final term when a clearing kick from the Raiders sailed towards the boundary line and out for a clear throw-in.
But the decision was out on the full.
From the resulting play, Magpie skipper Angus Monfries was awarded a dubious free kick and went back to slot the tying goal.
Earlier in the last quarter, Monfries had appeared to seal the game with his fourth of five goals to put the Magpies 19 points up.
But, from the ensuing centre bounce, the Raiders’ best player Jordan Iudica profited from a centre clearance to swing the momentum. It was an area where the Raiders were on top most of the day.
Down by 13 points at the final change, Raiders coach Darren Troy attempted to profit from this by throwing big forward Kye Attwell into the ruck. “He gave us a contest and got the ball going forward, and that’s what we needed,” Troy said.
For the next 15 minutes, it was all the Raiders as Warren Lolicato kicked three goals in a row, including a pearler from the boundary line to put the Raiders in front.
The Raiders couldn’t hold on for the four points, but Troy said: “I was really proud of that four-quarter effort.
“To be able to come back and get in front shows they are fit enough to mix it with everyone.
“It’s not a loss, it’s not a win, it’s in between. It’s an improvement.”
While the Raiders’ rooms were up and about post-game, the vibe in the Magpies’ changerooms was a contrast.
“It’s disappointing,” Monfries said. “We lost the clearance most of the day, skill errors let us down. We were in a position in the last quarter to win the game but, credit to them, they got their tails up.
“But the positive we take out of it is we salvaged two points, which made our day a bit better than it probably deserved to be.
“Swan Hill beating Mallee today helps us, obviously. Two points is better than none, and it takes out our poor percentage.”
The game started as a scrappy affair, with Nathaniel Holmes-Brown kicking the only goal of the first quarter.
Wasted chances in the second quarter prevented the Magpies taking a big lead at half-time, but there was a sense around the ground that the Raiders would stick with them all day.
Iudica was swung forward for periods in the third quarter and provided the point of difference the Raiders had been crying out for.
A late goal by Jordan Bassett off the ground set up the thrilling last quarter.
Boga was missing stars Jacob Simpson and Matthew Filo and the Raiders dominated the contests around the ball for large chunks of the game.
Monfries expects the pair to return after the club’s bye next week.
Monfries’ five goals saved Boga in a low-scoring contest, but he highlighted others who impressed him on the day. “I think Tyle Williams was good doing a manful job playing in the ruck most of the day.
“John Harvey, we freed him up a bit across half-back and gave him a licence to run and carry, but Matt Taverna and Oliver Rohde, our back six, were pretty solid most of the day.”
For the Raiders, Iudica was best, racking up disposals through the midfield in the first half before being moved forward.
However, Troy also praised team effort. “I think we had four or five who could be called our best today, but Jordan has been great ever since I’ve got here.”
Swan Hill’s upset win over Mallee Eagles left Boga a game and half safe inside the top five.
The Magpies face NNW United away after this week’s bye.
Koondrook-Barham will look to continue their improvement away against Tyntynder.
VOTES
3 Votes Jordan Iudica (Koondrook-Barham)
2 Votes Angus Monfries (Lake Boga)
1 Votes John Harvey (Lake Boga)
MATCH RESULTS
KOONDROOK-BARHAM 0.1 2.3 4.6 9.8.62
LAKE BOGA 1.4 4.8 5.12 8.14.62
GOALS – KOONDROOK-BARHAM – Warren Lolicato 3, Jordan Iudica 2, Jacob Barrington, Jordan Bassett, Morgan Randall, Blake Watts 1.
LAKE BOGA – Angus Monfries 5, Andrew Clark 2, Nathaniel Holmes-Brown 1.
BEST – KOONDROOK-BARHAM – Jack Thrum, Eli Boyd, Blake Watts, Kye Attwell, Colin McVeigh, James Martin.
LAKE BOGA – Tyle Williams, Jayden Lonergan, Nathaniel Holmes-Brown, Darby Hayes, Matt Taverna, Oliver Rohde.
