LAKE Boga took another big step towards their first finals appearance in 12 years with a hard-fought 25-point win over Nyah-Nyah West United on Saturday afternoon.
A six-goals-to-three third term helped set up the victory, as the Magpies midfield took control of the clearances and the match.
While the third term was where the visitors won, it could equally be argued that it was the Demons who lost it with an inaccurate final quarter.
The home side wasted countless opportunities to steal the win in the final 30 minutes. The Demons kicked 2.9 in a wasteful display up forward.
Despite the win, the news wasn’t all good for Lake Boga. A second quarter hamstring injury to key forward and joint coach Angus Monfries ruled him out for the remainder of the match. Monfries, who kicked two goals in the first quarter and looked set for a dominant afternoon, will now spend a number of weeks on the sidelines in what could prove to be a big blow to the Magpies’ chances of finals success.
Andrew Clark stepped up in Monfries’ absence, kicking a game-high four goals from the forward pocket, as the Magpies were forced to find other avenues to goal with their spearhead removed from the game.
Lake Boga were simply too strong through the middle for the Demons, with Josh Cruse-Filo and Tyle Williams combining with Magpies ruckman Jacob Simpson to control the contest. Simpson was too strong in the ruck and gave his onballers an armchair ride around the stoppages.
The other Magpie who had a major impact on the game was Daniel Dzufer, with the Lake Boga half-back using his accurate foot skills to constantly open up the Demons defence, while young guns Ryan Fox and Dustin Burns both continued their impressive breakout seasons.
The Demons were well served by swingman Dean Harrop, who started the game forward before being swung into defence in the second half. Jaydyn Stirling off half-back could also be well pleased with his afternoon’s work, as could midfielders Dylan McLachlan and Brady Davidson. Alex Erlandson at centre half-back and fellow key defender Adrian Knee were also among NNW United’s better players.
The win put Lake Boga two games clear inside the top five with just four rounds to play with a date with top-three contender Woorinen next Saturday. Nyah-Nyah West United will enjoy the bye this weekend before hosting the second- placed Cohuna Kangas in round 16.
VOTES
3 Votes Daniel Dzufer (Lake Boga)
2 Votes Jacob Simpson (Lake Boga)
1 Votes Dean Harrop (NNW United)
MATCH RESULTS
NNW UNITED 1.2 5.4 8.5 10.14.74
LAKE BOGA 4.2 7.7 13.10 14.15.99
GOALS – NNW UNITED – Brent Arho 3, Corey Daniels 2, Joel Campbell, Brady Davidson, Matthew Duffy, Jarrod Skinner, Zack Threadgold 1.
LAKE BOGA – Andrew Clark 4, Angus Monfries 2, Dustin Burns, Rory Colville, Xander Hartland, Darby Hayes, Nathaniel Holmes-Brown, Taylor Johnstone, Jayden Lonergan, Tyle Williams 1.
BEST – NNW UNITED – Dean Harrop, Jaydyn Stirling, Dylan McLachlan, Alex Erlandson, Brady Davidson, Adrian Knee.
LAKE BOGA – Daniel Dzufer, Jacob Simpson, Joshua Cruse-Filo, Ryan Fox, Jayden Lonergan, Dustin Burns.
