A Dan Delaney goal with just a minute left on the clock clinched a thrilling two-point victory for Leeton-Whitton in Saturday’s Riverina League blockbuster.
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Down by four points, Delaney goaled deep into the final quarter to hand the Crows victory over Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes, 15.8 (98) to 15.6 (96) at Leeton Showground.
The game certainly lived up to it’s billing as the Riverina League top of the table clash with little between the two teams all day.
Four consecutive goals to MCUE early in the final term gave them a 10-point lead before two late goals from the Crows stole victory.
The win continued the Crows’ remarkable rise up the ladder and breathed life into the race for the minor premiership with both teams locked together, separated only by percentage.
For Leeton-Whitton coach David Meline, it was more about getting further ahead of the chasing pack than joining MCUE on top.
“We’ve got Ganmain, Tigers, Collingullie and Coolamon in the next four weeks so if we had of dropped today, then there was going to be a lot of pressure on those games,” Meline said.
“I’m more happy about that.
“You’ve only got to drop a couple and we would have found ourselves out of the top five.
“And it won’t get any easier.”
MCUE were the better team early in the contest but two goals late before half-time put the Crows within one point at the main break.
The third quarter belonged to Leeton-Whitton as they upped the ante and took a narrow six-point lead to the final change.
Meline said the game could have gone either way.
“It was a cracker of a game,” he said.
“To be honest, we were lucky to be that close to them at half-time.
“They played really well and we struggled to contain their spread.
“But that was encouraging to be that close because we weren’t playing fantastic.
“They were better in the first half, we had a good third quarter then the last quarter was goal for goal.”
Leeton-Whitton lost two key defenders during the contest with Tom Morton (consussion) and Mitch Heaslip (back) injured, leaving the Crows with one rotation.
Toby Conroy led the charge through the midfield for the Crows and was well supported by the likes of Lucas Meline, Will Wakeman, Tom Meline and Ben Curley.
Harry Collins was very good for the Goannas, while brother Matt finished with five goals.
Full-time
LEETON-WHITTON (98)
2.4 8.4 12.5 15.8
MCUE (96)
5.0 8.5 11.5 15.6
Goals: (Leeton) N Irwin 3, B O’Garey 2, C Griggs 2, T Meline, D Delaney, B Curley, L Meline, T Conroy, D Evans, K O’Malley, M Wescombe; (MCUE) M Collins 5, T Metcalfe 2, P Killalea 2, J Whitley, S Carey, T Keogh, T Cohalan, M Keatley.
Best: (Leeton) T Conroy, L Meline, J Lehman, M Hardie, B Curley, D Delaney; (MCUE) T Keogh, S Creasy, M Collins, J Whitley, P Killalea.