Marrar claimed the Farrer League minor premiership in dramatic fashion on Saturday with a thrilling comeback against North Wagga in a match that carried all the feeling, intensity and rewards of a final.
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On a wild and windy afternoon at Langtry Oval, the Bombers were behind from midway through the first quarter but held their rivals goal-less after halftime and scoreless in the last quarter, as they clawed their way back for an eight-point win.
It wasn’t until the 17th minute of the last quarter, through a goal to Cal Gardner, that Marrar drew level before Fred Sleeth (two behinds) and Tyler Cunningham (a goal) delivered three scoring shots in the last four minutes to secure victory, 7.8 (50) to 6.6 (42).
Ending North Wagga’s winning streak at 12 games, Marrar leapt into top spot on the table to secure the first week off in the finals while sending the Saints to a qualifying final date with Temora.
But there will be more fallout to come after three yellow cards and three reports were handed out.
Bombers forward Sleeth was sent for a 15-minute spell late in the first quarter after a high shot on Troy Curtis. He wasn’t reported but the incident may yet be reviewed on video. In the third quarter, Rory Block was yellow carded and reported for rough conduct after a late hit on Curtis. Saints defender Matt Thomas was also sent off after coming in, and was reported for striking and inciting a melee.
“We thought it would be played like a final and that’s exactly how it was,” Marrar coach Shane Lenon said.
“It was pretty brutal – it was hard, it was tough and the conditions probably didn’t make for a skilful game but I was enthralled in it. I thought it was a great game for how two sides threw themselves into the contest.
“They had the better of the first half and we had the better of the second half. There was some huge contests and some huge contact.”
Marrar forward Brad Turner looked dangerous early with a two strong marks and goals in the first 10 minutes but North Wagga took a 13-point lead to the first break after they got on top and kicked the last three goals of the opening term.
The Bombers might have rued five missed shots in the first five minutes of the second quarter but Gardner later brought them within three points after capitalising on a turnover. Saints recovered with two goals in two minutes just before halftime for a handy 15-point lead.
But after two North Wagga behinds to start the third quarter, the tide began to turn the home side’s way. Brad Moye snapped a goal as reward for his team’s pressure and while they went to the last change still down by 13, they had all the momentum and were threatening to open up.
Almost the entire last quarter was played in Marrar’s forward half and the high stakes affair meant high intensity at every contest.
But the Bombers couldn’t be held back from finishing first for the second straight year, after stretching their own winning streak to eight games.
“To regroup (after halftime) and find a way – that’s probably the most pleasing thing,” Lenon said.
“But they're a tight-knit bunch, they play for each other. We stayed positive at halftime but we needed to lift. We had a few of our better players down but we stayed positive and kept at it. I know we won it in the last quarter by kicking those goals but I thought the game was won in the third quarter.”
Jesse Margosis was superb across half-back for Marrar while Nick Molkentin had a big game in the ruck and around the ground. Block had one of his best games for the year injecting himself into the game and Adam Whyte limited North Wagga’s Daniel Jordan to one goal.
Jordan kicked 1.3 to finish the home-and-away season as joint-leading goalkicker with Temora’s Matt Wallis on 63 goals.
Tom Bennetts led Saints’ midfield effort (and kicked two of their six goals) while Lachlan Highfield was dangerous in the first half and Troy Curtis stood up at the back amid plenty of attention.
Marrar went in without late withdrawal Jackson Moye but he’ll be fully recovered from a broken collarbone in two weeks while Matt Parks, Shannon Williams and Mitch Taylor should also be fit, Jason Reid available again and Jeremy Rowe also a potential inclusion.
But new midfielder/forward Curtis Allen is in some doubt after injuring a hamstring in the third quarter.
Allen and Sleeth played both reserve grade and first grade to bring up their four games for the season.
Lenon is comfortable with the club’s approach, ensuring the pair qualified for finals in just two weekends.
“For sure – the rules say that that’s in the spirit of the game. Unless they change the rules, any other club can do the same thing,” he said.