Stawell and Minyip-Murtoa battled through tough conditions in a nail-biter at Central Park on Saturday.
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Both teams’ seasons were effectively over going into the match, with the victor keeping a slim chance at a finals berth alive.
The Warriors had the pick of the conditions early in the match, kicking with the breeze in the first quarter to lead by 14 points at the main break.
“Conditions were pretty testy and we struggled early on before putting some goals on the board,” Stawell coach Jamie Solyom said.
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“From the start right until the end of the match it was a really contested sort of game with both teams hard at it. It was a sloppy, ugly type of game.”
The Burras were unable to capitalise on the wind advantage in the second term to still trail by nine points at half-time. The game opened up in the third quarter as both sides hit the scoreboard more freely.
Eight goals were kicked, four each, as Stawell held onto an 11-point buffer at the final break which could have been larger.
“We got four goals up in the third and thought one more might seal the win for us but to Minyip-Murtoa’s credit they kicked a couple of quick ones to put themselves in with a good chance kicking with the breeze in the last,” Solyom said.
... this group has faith in each other
- Jamie Solyom
The intensity lifted a notch in the final term as the Burras surged with the wind, but Stawell was gallant in defence, holding off repeated attacks from the visitors.
“The ball was red hot in the last minute-and-a-half. We defended like our lives depended on it,” Solyom said.
“They got within three points with about three minutes to go.”
The Warriors were able to withstand the pressure and cling to a 9.10 (64) to 9.9 (63) victory.
“In close games like that it is just about self belief. Stawell teams of old would throw it away but this group has faith in each other.
“It is big for some boys who have never beaten Minyip-Murtoa to have done so now.” Sean Mantell stood up as Stawell’s best while Jordan Delahunty was influential for the Burras.
“Sean’s contested footy was outstanding,” Solyom said.
“Cam Kimber didn’t have bis best of games but Sean stood up to help out. They work well together.
“Angus Barham’s pressure and tackling led him to play one of his best games and Jackson Dark was outstanding again.”
David Andrivon kicked another three goals to take his tally to 53 for the year.
Stawell still has a minuscule mathematical possibility of playing finals in 2018, but will need to beat ladder leaders Horsham by a significant margin as well as winless Dimboola doing the same to Warrack Eagles.
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