North Wagga survived a dramatic final quarter comeback at Gumly Oval on Saturday to enjoy their first win over East Wagga-Kooringal in just under three years.
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The Saints’ last win in the Wagga derby was back in May 2014 and they did it the hard way, giving up a three-goal lead early in the final term before steadying for a 10.10 (70) to 8.8 (56) victory.
It was pure satisfaction for North Wagga coach Kirk Hamblin.
“We just tried to stay positive in the last quarter – we haven’t beaten them for three years and the last two times we played them they run over the top of us in the last quarter so I was a little bit nervous,” Hamblin said.
“But to the boys’ credit, they've come a long way. Last year we probably would’ve lost that game so they probably matured a little bit and it was just good to get the win.”
Assistant coach Daniel Jordan stood up at the death after being pitched forward. He kicked the last two goals to seal victory after the Hawks had closed to within a point (for the second time) in the 18th minute.
(He should’ve had three but hit the post after a spectacular grab, taking a sit on the shoulders of a good mate Tim Smith).
Jordan iced the win but the performance was built on hard work and an outstanding game from midfielder-forward, Cayden Winter.
“It’s probably a bit of an insult to Robert Harvey but Cayden plays the same way, he just works really hard to get to as many contests as he can and he just seems to find space just through work-rate,” Hamblin said of the returning North Wagga junior.
Winter kicked the first goal of the game as North Wagga, with some sharp ball movement, got on top to lead by a goal at quarter-time.
He then opened and closed the second term with great goals to give his side a 19-point lead at halftime.
The Hawks’ only goal of the second quarter was from Chris Jackson, capitalising on superb lead-up from defender Jacob Tiernan, who was strong all day for EWK.
After trading early goals, the third quarter turned into an arm wrestle punctuated by missed opportunities.
But déjà vu set in after three-quarter time as Sam Hodges and Jackson launched the comeback with inspirational goals for EWK before Tom Pocock grubbered one through to close the margin to two points.
The home side could’ve hit the front but for an unlucky bounce on a Tiernan shot before Lachie Highfield steadied the Saints with their first goal in 35 minutes of footy.
But the margin was back to one when Brocke Argus landed a long bomb late, only to see Jordan rise to the occasion.
“He’s a great swingman to have,” Hamblin said.
“We talked all week about throwing him forward when we needed to so whoever made the call to throw him forward, I better buy a beer!”