Finally, North Wagga found a big fourth quarter – and it keeps the fires of hope burning on an unlikely finals appearance.
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On a McPherson Oval mudheap, the Saints overpowered Marrar with three goals in the final term – more than they’d kicked in the first three quarters.
The 5.8 (38) to 3.7 (25) muddies the picture for finals just as the top five was looking cut-and-dried.
North Wagga remain seventh, one win behind Temora and two wins adrift of the Jets (fourth) and Bombers (fifth) who play each other next week.
Saints coach Kirk Hamblin knows they can’t completely control their destiny, but they’re still a live chance.
“We’d have to beat Temora and then CSU and hope that Marrar drop two of their last three (against the Jets, CSU and Barellan) and we’ll finish level with them and we should have a better percentage so that’s the way we’d have to slip in,” Hamblin said.
The Saints and Jets are guaranteed at least four points with a bye whereas Temora and Marrar both have three games left.
A goal-less second half – and scoreless final quarter – brought the Bombers undone on Saturday and ramps the pressure right up again.
What had looked like three weeks preparing for finals is going to be spent trying to earn it.
Marrar led by two goals at halftime but allowed North back to within eight points at the last change in atrocious conditions.
“It’s as bad as I’ve seen McPherson Oval,” Hamblin said.
“It was a real Auskick game of footy – there would’ve been 10 blokes from each team at each stoppage so it wouldn’t have been pretty to watch.”
Alex Grozinger put the Saints within a point with a goal five minutes into the last quarter and 10 minutes later he shepherded a goal through from teammate Daniel Jordan.
The Saints’ assistant coach had spent some time off the ground after an earlier knock but kicked two goals in two minutes to complete an unlikely comeback and seal the win.
“I said to the boys after the game, ‘You’re a resilient bunch,’” Hamblin said.
“It’s been our issue all year – playing three quarters of footy and being there when the game’s in the balance and then letting it slip.”
“Today it was good to turn it around and actually come from behind and steal the win.”
North Wagga’s turnaround was led by midfielders Lachie Highfield and Ned Mortimer while Hamblin praised Troy Curtis’ job on Brad Turner.
Marrar were best-served by the Taylor brothers, Mitch and Clint. The Bombers had a late withdrawal with Jack Reynolds injured in the under 17s, while Daniel Burkinshaw, Cal Gardner and Jake Hindmarsh were all out.
