TOOLEYBUC-Manangatang kept their finals aspirations alive on Saturday at Manangatang, overcoming a gallant but undermanned Koondrook-Barham by six-points – 8.9 (57) to 7.9 (51).
While the match never reached great heights from a skill perspective, the close finish ensured a thrilling climax, with both sides throwing everything at the contest in the dying moments.
With a finals spot on the line, the Saints and Raiders opened their clash with September-like intensity and great gusto in blustery conditions, as the Raiders took advantage of a handy two-goal breeze in the opening term.
Koondrook-Barham’s Benji Neal struck first, converting confidently from 45-metres after a strong diving mark.
The Saints replied immediately, with Blake Grant slotting the equaliser following smart build-up work by Josh Williams running through the midfield from half-back.
Despite the high stakes, the first quarter was riddled with scrappy disposal and unforced errors from both sides, as pressure around the ball carrier forced frequent turnovers.
Still, moments of class emerged.
Saints forward Connor Nutting snapped truly from a tight angle to register the first of his three goals for the afternoon, showcasing his composure inside 50.
Both half-back lines were dominant early, consistently intercepting and launching counter-attacks that restricted scoring.
Young Saints defender Rydar Morris impressed with several strong marks at centre half-back, repeatedly repelling the Raiders’ forward entries.
Just as the Saints looked set to take a slender lead into quarter-time, Raiders veteran Warren Lolicato produced a clever snap goal late in the term to cut the margin to just two-points at the first break.
The second quarter followed a similar script, with contested pressure and rushed disposal limiting clean chains of play.
However, the Raiders began to find some rhythm.
A highlight came when Kye Atwell soared in the goal square to take a strong contested mark before converting truly in one of the standout moments of the match to this stage.
Minutes later, he followed up with his second of the term, capping the Raiders’ best stretch of play for the half.
Koondrook-Barham’s backline continued to hold firm under pressure, with Lachlan Bates, Jack Shannon, and Ryan Bassett in control across half-back, and Reagan Hamilton standing strong at fullback.
Their structure stifled the Saints, who, despite multiple inside 50’s, were held goalless for the quarter.
The ruck duel between the Raiders Jacob Barrington and the Saints Connor Mcdonald was a feature, thrilling the large and vocal crowd.
At the main break, Koondrook-Barham held a deserved nine-point lead in a tight, gritty contest.
But the game shifted dramatically after half-time as Saints coach Brad Morris clearly lit a fire under his group, who returned with renewed purpose.
Tooleybuc-Manangatang piled on four goals to one in a dominant third term to reclaim the lead.
Josh Domaille was instrumental, lifting his work rate around stoppages and leading the midfield charge.
He was well supported by Elliott Chalmers and the composed Jesse Wilson, who helped steady the Saints with clean ball use.
Morris continued to lead from the back, intercepting and organising the Saints’ defence.
Up forward, Nutting added his second, and Lochlan Prentice brought the Saints faithful to life with a stunning 45-metre set shot from the boundary.
McDonald added another with a clever snap in the goal square, before Domaille capped off a standout quarter with a booming long-range major to hand the Saints a six-point lead at the final change.
The last quarter was the most entertaining of the match. With everything on the line, both sides lifted in intensity and execution, throwing themselves into every contest with a finals-like ferocity.
Domaille and the ever-reliable Rydar Morris continued to shine for the Saints, combining courage with composure.
For the Raiders, Barrington was immense, continuing to give his all in the ruck and in doing so lifting his teammates with his relentless effort.
The crowd roared as the match reached boiling point. Domaille and Nutting added crucial goals for the Saints, but were matched by two brilliant majors from Lolicato, who kept the Raiders within reach.
In the dying minutes, Koondrook-Barham surged forward relentlessly, but the Saints’ defence stood tall.
With Morris delivering a best-on-ground performance down back, and strong support from Domaille, McDonald, and Chalmers, the Saints repelled every final push.
When the siren sounded, Tooleybuc-Manangatang had held on for a stirring six-point win thus keeping their season alive in a match that had all the hallmarks of September football.
SCORES
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Score |
| Tooleybuc-Manangantang | 2.4 | 2.7 | 6.7 | 8.9 | 57 |
| Koondrook-Barham | 2.2 | 4.4 | 5.7 | 7.9 | 51 |
VOTES
3 – Rydar Morris (Tooleybuc-Manangatang)
2 – Josh Domaille (Tooleybuc-Manangatang)
1 – Jacob Barrington (Koondrook-Barham)
