BIRCHIP-Watchem have survived an almighty scare from eighth-placed Charlton to secure a 12-point win thanks to some Nathan Gordon brilliance in a tense last quarter.
Gordon, who finished with five goals, booted three of the Bulls’ four last-quarter goals to help the reigning premiers win their seventh match and remain in the top four as the finals race heats up.
Persistent rain in the first and third quarters, along with strong winds throughout the afternoon, made for a heavily contested game, with the Navies stronger at the contest for much of the match.
After scores were all tied up at three-quarter time, it was Birchip-Watchem who stepped up when it was most needed, kicking their four goals into the wind to win 13.5 (83) to 11.5 (71).
Birchip-Watchem coach Trevor Ryan was full of praise for how Charlton went about their work in the conditions, while also pleased with his own team’s commitment in a tough final 30 minutes.
“We were rapt to walk off the ground with that result, because it was one of those days where, if you take the conditions out of it, Charlton played some really good footy,” Ryan said.
“They were a little bit harder around the contest and played that territory game a little bit better than we did and took their opportunities.
“Those sorts of conditions just bring everyone back to a level where you must win the contested footy, and everyone can do that no matter how skilled of a player you are.
“Your decision making, your hand and foot skills, all come under the spotlight and the team that can do it better are normally more successful. I’d say over four quarters, Charlton were doing that a little bit better than us.”
While Gordon was a standout in tough conditions for forwards, Marshall and Nick Rippon were instrumental in Birchip-Watchem’s final-quarter fightback, with Ryan also heaping praise on wingman Darcy Reid and Dale Hinkley’s efforts.
“Our midfield had to step up and win first use of the ball and play the game in our forward half as much as we could,” Ryan said.
“We had the wrong end with the wind that quarter and we had to score into it and just managed to get those balls forward when we needed to.
“We started getting our hands on the ball at the stoppages and just got it on the boot and got it forward, rather than trying to weave through traffic with our run and receive handballs and coughing the ball up like we were in the first three quarters.”
Charlton’s Nick Thompson was another who impressed up forward, the promising forward winning several contested balls inside attacking 50 and kicking three goals.
Chris Gavaghan kicked four goals, while Jesse and Harrison Taylor were strong performers in the Navies midfield.
The Bulls’ win set up an important match this Saturday against Wycheproof-Narraport, whose 25-point win over Boort left them just two points outside the top four.
The Demons opened with four first-half goals while holding a wasteful Magpies goalless, before going on to record a strong 9.8 (62) to 4.13 (37) win in coach Boe Bish’s 300th senior game for the club.
Donald also managed to keep Wycheproof-Narraport outside the top four for another week when the defeated Wedderburn by 32 points at home.
A seven-goal third quarter proved the difference in the 16.13 (109) to 12.5 (77) result, with Wedderburn’s Sam Barnes and Donald’s Sam Dunstan providing the entertainment at either end of the ground with seven and six goals respectively.
Sea Lake Nandaly secured their 11th win of the season with a comfortable 114-point win over winless St Arnaud.
Trent Donnan put in another best-on-ground performance in the 20.28 (148) to 5.4 (34) victory, with John Summerhayes kicking five goals for the Tigers.
