LAKE Boga caused a major upset on Saturday by defeating the more fancied Balranald combination by five points.
The match was played at the Lake Boga Recreation Reserve in front of a healthy crowd who witnessed a tight contest all day due to the wintry conditions, with the 7.18 (60) to 8.7 (55) result going a long way towards the Magpies playing in the finals for their second straight season.
Balranald had to make several major changes to their line-up with former Geelong premiership player Nathan Ablett a late withdrawal due to a hamstring strain, along with ruckman Jordan Wilkins, who sustained an elbow injury the previous round.
The Magpies went into the game without Daniel Dzufer.
Balranald won the toss and kicked with the aid of a slight breeze, but Lake Boga dominated early proceedings, with the opening goal coming at the five-minute mark, when Lochie Lang snapped magnificently from 40 metres out.
The Magpies ran with purpose and hit their targets by both hand and foot, enabling them to take the early ascendancy around the ground.
The Roos seemed a little shell shocked as Lake Boga continually drove the football into their forward 50.
But the Magpies did not capitalise on their dominance in the opening term, kicking poorly for goal, and could manage only a 12-point lead at the first break.
Lake Boga players to stand out in this first stanza were Jacob Simpson, Lincoln Sieben, Nathaniel Holmes-Brown and Tyle Williams, while Balranald’s better players were Jydon Neagle, Jack Salau, Jaxon Neagle and Ryan Middlebrook.
In the second term the Roos wrested control of the contest, kicking four goals to the Pies’ solitary major.
Drew Lloyd became a target up forward for Balranald, providing opportunities for Ben Fuller, Matt Neagle and Seth Connell (two) to bring up the two calicos, giving the Roos a two-point lead at half-time.
Jydon Neagle led from the front and was well supported by brothers Jaxon and Matt, while Middlebrook ran brilliantly off half-back and Connell was a handful for the Magpies’ defence, while Simpson controlled the on-ball contests and Jake Warren lifted his work rate through the midfield for Lake Boga.
The third term was a hard slog for both sides as the heavens began to open, with the persistent rain making the ball hard to handle and resulting in many packs situations.
Simpson went up a level in these conditions and dominated around the ground and through the midfield in a best-on-ground performance.
Williams and Warren also relished the heavy conditions, while for the Roos Jydon and Matt Neagle, along with Middlebrook and Drew Lloyd, kept their side in the contest.
The last quarter was the peak of the contest, with the ball moving quickly from one end of the ground to the other despite the tough conditions, as players from both sides threw caution to the wind and attacked with gusto.
Simpson, Warren, Williams and Sieben were in everything for the Magpies, knowing the importance of the result for their season.
The Neagle brothers tried hard to lift their Balranald teammates in a bold effort to keep their winning streak alive, but when Williams kicked a 50-metre bomb midway through the term, the scores were tied.
A free kick and subsequent 50-metre penalty to Angus Monfries in time-on gave the Magpies the lead by six points and, despite Balranald having the ball deep in their forward half for the last four minutes of play, the Magpies were able to hold on for a confidence-building victory.
FINAL SIREN
| Lake Boga | 2.6 | 3.10 | 5.12 | 7.18 | 60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balranald | 1.0 | 5.0 | 8.2 | 8.7 | 55 |
VOTES
3 – Jacob Simpson (Lake Boga)
2 – Jydon Neagle (Balranald)
1 – Lincoln Sieben (Lake Boga)
