This week's best battles include a thriller in Mooroopna and some late-game magic in our Ovens and King league. See if you agree with the matches MMG sports journalists chose this week.
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GOULBURN VALLEY LEAGUE
Benalla v Mooroopna
Round 15, 2015 at Mooroopna Main Oval
Mooroopna 9.8 (62) lt Benalla 10.8 (68)
There is a pang of bitterness attached to this match for Mooroopna late in 2015, the six-point loss all but crushing the Cats’ finals hopes.
In saying that, this match was a bona fide thriller, with the top six hopefuls taking it right up to a top-two side.
Mooroopna full-forward Brent Arho produced a blistering start, kicking the first four goals of the game in the opening quarter as the Cats raced to a 19-point lead.
But the Saints responded just as quickly, dominating the second quarter to take a seven-point lead into halftime, which decreased to four by three-quarter time.
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With Mooroopna ahead by one point with three minutes to go, the Cats were in a position to seal victory, but a Benalla behind levelled proceedings, before Saints wingman Al Jacka intercepted the kick out to rush in and snag the match-winner.
Josh Marchbank was a dominant force for the Saints in the ruck, which Will Martiniello took full advantage of, while Arho finished with five goals as Mooroopna’s best.
The close loss was Mooroopna’s fifth by 10 points or less that year, with two wins ultimately separating the Cats from a finals berth.
‘‘That’s five close losses now and that is obviously going to hurt us,’’ Mooroopna coach Blake Campbell said.
‘‘We wanted to win like anything, but I thought the boys were sensational against a quality side.
KYABRAM DISTRICT LEAGUE
Violet Town v Shepparton East
Round seven, 2019 at Violet Town Recreation Reserve
Violet Town 7.10 (52) lt Shepparton East 13.6 (84)
Shepparton East produced a consistent performance to beat Violet Town by 32 points when the teams met in round seven last year.
The Eagles led at every break and never looked like sacrificing their lead, charging home with a big last quarter to seal the win.
Anthony Tautala slotted five goals and was huge along with Matthew Dipace and Jeromy Aynsley, while the Town's best were Kevin Kiernan (three goals), Jayden Guppy, and Matthew Davies.
OVENS AND KING LEAGUE
Benalla All Blacks v Milawa
Round one, 2011 at Milawa Recreation Reserve
Benalla All Blacks 17.10 (112) d Milawa 14.6 (90)
This season opener is right up there as one of the best battles between Benalla and Milawa.
In what was the All Blacks first win over the Demons since joining the Ovens and King League, it was also sweet revenge as the All Blacks avenged their 2010 qualifying finals loss to the Demons.
In a high-scoring affair, Benalla suffered a massive blow within the opening minutes of the game – with Steve Murray coming off with a broken arm – before they found some form to kick the first three goals of the game.
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Milawa made sure they were still in the hunt, pulling the lead back within seven points by halftime, but a strong final quarter from the All Blacks meant the home side ran away to the 22-point win.
It was a kick for kick between each of the teams’ forwards, Benalla’s Duane Haebich and Milawa’s Luke Sims bagging five apiece, while Benalla’s Jarrod Roscoe and Daryl Webb were two of the day’s best.
Goorambat v Bright
Round seven, 2011 at Goorambat Recreation Reserve
Goorambat 12.14 (86) d Bright 8.13 (61)
We’ve already looked at one classic contest between Goorambat and Bright in our May 13 edition – so it’s time to recall a second contest between the two clubs.
Last time, The Ensign noted there were two games that came to mind when thinking of Goorambat and Bright – round eight in 2016 and round seven in 2011 – and today we’re looking at the latter.
In similar circumstances to their 2016 contest, the Bats beat Bright by 25 points in 2011, running over the top of their opponents in the final term.
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The Bats got the better start of the two teams, kicking three unanswered goals in the first term before Bright retaliated to snatch the lead ahead of half and three-quarter time.
But the Bats boasted better legs when running out the game, almost doubling their score in the final term to seal their first victory of the season.
Mark Beavis and Damien Gray shared goal-kicking duties for Goorambat with three apiece, while Sam Gall was another standout.
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