MCDFL - A lapse in the third quarter proved costly for Navarre against Carisbrook in their Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League qualifying final at Hedges Oval, Maryborough.
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Both teams came out firing, with Navarre coach Daniel Parkin booting the opening goal two minutes into the match.
Carisbrook quickly responded, surging forward and a free to kick to Jackson Bowen in front of goal ensured the Redbacks were on the board.
It was tough end-to-end stuff, with Navarre's backline, consisting of Daniel Fitzell, Sam Robertson and Tom Kaye, withstanding the pressure of Carisbrook's forwards.
At quarter time, the inside 50 count was three to nine Carisbrook's way and Navarre assistant coach Andrew Murphy urged his players to pressure the opposition.
"We've got to get our game going with the contested ball - win it, get it out and get our run going and break the game open," he said.
Carisbrook goaled in the first 30 seconds in the second quarter before Bryce Tickner bobbed up with his first major for the afternoon.
A set shot to Ash Driscoll saw Navarre hit the front and Alex Reichman then followed up with a goal to give the Grasshoppers breathing space.
The game went in ebbs and flows throughout the second term, with Navarre maintaining a narrow lead - the biggest margin was 11 points at the 20 minute mark before a late goal to Travis Cornwill saw the Redbacks pull the margin back to six at half time.
It was in the third quarter that things started to go wrong for the Grasshoppers.
Navarre was getting their hands to the football, but struggled to hold their marks and Carisbrook's pressure was forcing the Grasshoppers to kick backwards.
The Redbacks kicked five unanswered goals to take control of the match and sail to a 26-point lead at the final change.
Coach Daniel Parkin implored his players to run hard throughout the final term.
"Let's enjoy the challenge and make them chase us. Do we want to win this quarter or not? Pressure's going to get us back in."
Navarre looked more switched on in the last quarter, with a quick goals to Ben Scott and Parkin saw the Grasshoppers get within 15 points.
However any hopes of a comeback were dashed by Carisbrook's Tom Wright booting his fourth goal for the day, with Navarre eventually succumbing by 20 points.
Assistant coach Murphy acknowledged the third quarter let the Grasshoppers down.
"It was a good close game to half time," he said.
"All we can do is control ourselves. Keep our heads up and keep ourselves strong and focus on next week."
Murphy praised the effort of defenders Kaye and Fitzell, Tickner through the midfield and Parkin.
Navarre must now face Trentham in Saturday's semi-final at Princes Park.