TARNEIT CAUSE MAJOR UPSET IN ROUND OF THRILLERS
Tarneit have caused the upset of the Division 2 Men’s season defeating Braybrook by seven points, one of five matches decided by eight points or less in Round 14.
The Brookers entered the match fifth on the ladder with the Titans second last after winning just one game in the first 13 rounds of the season.
Tarneit started the better of the two sides using a three-goal opening term to build a handy buffer, however the Brookers reduced a 13-point quarter time deficit to five points at the half, and then two points at three-quarter time, to set up a thrilling finish.
In the lowest scoring quarter of the game, Titans co-captain Zach Thornton would kick the lone goal in a frantic final term to get his side over the line, 6.10 (46) to 5.9 (39).
Tarneit should add a second straight win when they travel to North Sunshine, while Braybrook return home to play Newport.
At Langshaws Reserve, Newport fell just short of inflicting Albion’s first loss of the year with the Cats hanging on to triumph by two points.
The visitors received their biggest test of the season as the Panthers producing their best performance of the campaign in the 8.15 (63) to 8.13 (61) result.
After trailing for much of the day, Newport took the lead at the 21-minute mark of the last quarter, but the visitors found an all-important final goal with a missed chance in the dying stages having no bearing on the outcome.
Daniel Bramich and Brandyn Di Sisto were Albion’s best, with Newport coach Rodney Van Riet and Zakaria Nasser outstanding for their side.
The Cats will look to remain undefeated when they host Sunshine in this coming weekend’s top of the table clash.
Sunshine were comfortably the biggest winners for Round 14, downing North Sunshine by 185 points at Dempster Park.
The Kangaroos held the Roadrunners to a single behind while piling on 28 goals, almost half of those coming from the boot of Nathan Carroll.
Carroll tied his season best of 13 majors and entered the 90s in his pursuit of 100 goals.
Meanwhile, Charly Williams enjoyed a successful return for the visitors, kicking three goals in his first game since Round 5.
With Braybrook’s loss to Tarneit the Suns jumped the Brookers into fifth spot courtesy of a five-point victory over Laverton.
After an evenly matched opening stanza, the Suns took a 15-point lead into the main break before a four-goal third term from the Magpies reduced the margin to three points with a quarter to play.
With several experienced heads stepping up in the last the Suns were able to secure the four points, 7.11 (53) to 7.6 (48).
John Tomelty kicked three goals in a best on ground performance for the Suns, while Soni Rainbow booted a season-high five majors for Laverton.
Suns host West Footscray in Round 14 with an away clash against Albanvale the next task for Laverton.
Albanvale overcame Western Rams in the lowest scoring match of the weekend, securing a 5.6 (36) to 4.5 (29) win at Robert Bruce Reserve.
The home team’s seven-point advantage at quarter time was their biggest of any break with the difference five points at the next two changes and eventually the final siren.
Ostinn Bellingham and Michael Wilson were crucial for the Cobras as they registered their eighth win of the season.
The Rams will aim to rebound and claim a third victory of 2024 when they host Sunshine Heights, who let a winning position slip against North Footscray on Saturday.
The Dragons led by 12-points at halftime at Hansen Reserve thanks to the efforts of Jacob Poa and Hayden Koutsogiannis before the hosts hit back.
In the end a six-goal to three second half was enough for the Devils to collect their fourth consecutive win, 10.11 (71) to 9.9 (63).
North Foostcray will now head to Wyndhamvale who defeated West Footscray by 39 points at Shorten Reserve.
The Falcons led at every change with a 41-point buffer at three-quarter time the biggest margin of the day.
Aaron Harrison and Ryley McGaw were the key contributors for the visitors in the 12.17 (89) to 6.14 (50) win, with the Roosters best served by Patrick Frappell and Blair Boyle.