By Lachlan Onions
MOUNT BURR 9.14 (68) d KALANGADOO 9.13 (67)
THERE was just the solitary behind which separated Mount Burr and Kalangadoo on Saturday as the Mozzies claimed a thrilling win in Round 3 of Mid South Eastern football.
The contest went down to the wire as the Mozzies defended desperately in the closing stages to hold on for a win by the barest of margins.
Mount Burr coach Reece Duncan was pleased with his side’s performance in what proved to be a tough, nail-biting contest.
“It is always good to go to Kalangadoo and play well,” he said.
“To come away with the win is an added bonus.
“We knew it was going to be a tight match, so we just wanted to play the way we wanted and do our job defensively first and foremost.”
In a back-and-forth contest between the reigning premiers and last year’s elimination finalists, the Magpies took an early six-point lead thanks to three goals in the first term.
However, the Mozzies fought back and restricted the hosts to just eight points in the second quarter and took a 37-25 lead at half time.
The Magpies then hit back in the third term and had victory in their sights as they kicked four majors to take a 12-point lead with one quarter to play.
“It was a bit of an arm wrestle all day,” Duncan said.
“They certainly came out after half time and put the pressure on in the third quarter.”
Despite the momentum favouring the home side, the Mozzies refused to die and kicked 3.4 (22) to the Magpies’ 1.3 (9) and were able to take a one-point lead with five minutes to play.
“For the last five minutes it was just a matter of desperate football and we held on,” Duncan said.
“They had plenty of forward line entries in the last couple of minutes which we were able to repel.”
Calum Sparkes was the standout performer for the Mozzies in the ruck, while Connor Gentile was named best on ground for Kalangadoo.
Kallan Bevan was in fine form in the forward line and kicked three goals for Mount Burr, while Dylan Bromley slotted four majors for the Magpies.
Duncan was full of praise for Sparkes, Kallan Bevan and Sam Wallis, who all played key roles for the Mozzies.
“Calum Sparkes rucked most of the day against Justin Bromely,” Duncan said.
“He (Sparkes) is a young, smaller guy but he definitely stood strong and did what he had to do so that was very pleasing.
“Young Kallan Bevan’s last quarter was absolutely huge for us – he is a very special kid.
“Sam Wallis was in defence and he was as good as he could have been.”
