Sport
24 May, 2023
Gutsy Roos claim thriller over Burras
DIMBOOLA produced one of its best performances of Wimmera Football League 2023 season when they claimed a thriller over Minyip-Murtoa on Saturday. In windy conditions on the well manicured Minyip oval, the Roos won the match by six points, producing...
DIMBOOLA produced one of its best performances of Wimmera Football League 2023 season when they claimed a thriller over Minyip-Murtoa on Saturday.
In windy conditions on the well manicured Minyip oval, the Roos won the match by six points, producing a desperate, fighting performance and maintain its second placing on the premiership table.
Early, it was all Dimboola as they dominated general play with the use of a healthy breeze, but were held up on the scoreboard as the Burras worked overtime in defence.
But through the work Wade Packer, the Roos kicked the first three goals of the match with Packer kicking the first before having a hand in another as Tom O’Dwyer converted from 40 metres and Sam Godden goaled to give the Roos a 19-point lead at the 20 minute mark.
Minyip-Murtoa then found their way onto the scoreboard when Jae McGrath converted his team’s first goal and when Nick Caris kicked the first of four goals for the match, the Burras had cut the lead to six points at quarter time.
The second term saw the Burras take their turn with the breeze but it was the Roos who opened scoring when Packer again found himself in the thick of the action to kick the opening goal of the term and extend the lead to 12 points.
But the Burras were able to respond when Tyler Pigeon kicked his team’s first of four unanswered goals.
The goal was followed by a fortunate misque kick that landed in the hands of Tanner Smith who converted before the game took on some confusing moments with the Burras the beneficiary of a 50 metre penalty for the next goal to Mitch Johns before Caris kicked his second to give the home team a 14-point buffer.
Michael Graham then kicked the final goal for the opening half as the Burras took a seven-point lead into half time.
The third term was where the Roos made their move as they took their turn again with the breeze and converted four goals to one and opened up a two goal advantage at three quarter time.
The quarter produced some strong teamwork to set up scoring chances as Dylan and Jack Landt provided plenty of drive through the midfield and Aisea Raikiwasa provided strong drive from across half back.
An opening goal to Graham cut the margin to one point before Caris kicked his third to take the lead back to seven points before Dylan Landt produced a bit of magic from close range to dribble through a goal and bring the margin back to two points.
And when Jack Landt goaled on the run, the Roos had regained the lead for the first time since early in the second term before extending the lead to 12 points when Godden kicked his second major.
With the Burras kicking with the breeze, it was the Roos who opened scoring early in the final quarter when Godden added his third for the day and extend a vital lead to 18 points.
The final stanza would produce some desperate efforts from both teams as Corey Morgan cut the deficit to 13 points with a long range goal as the Burras continued to attack but were met by a resolute Roos defence who kept the scoring to minor scores before Caris kicked his fourth for the day and cut the margin to five points midway through the term.
Dimboola then kicked two vital goals when Ben Miller goaled from long range into the breeze before Dylan Landt topped a strong piece of teamwork with a running goal that extended his team’s lead to 17 points.
Another 50 metre penalty to the Burras saw Pigeon kick his second from the goal line which cut the lead to 12 points before Burras forward Charlie Penny goaled from close range to bring the margin to just six points with four minutes remaining.
But the Roos were desperate through its defence and midfield and denied the Burras any more chances to score with the final siren sounding to give the Roos its vital six-point victory.
Dylan Landt produced another strong game in his second appearance and with Godden’s three goals and Packer’s work in attack, the Roos were able to stay in contention when the Burras looked to dominate play with Darcy Dubois and Raikiwasa providing some strong defence that teamed well with coach Jack Landt and Ben Miller through the midfield.