Down by 14 points at the final break in Saturday’s crunch top four clash against Katunga, Tungamah co-coach Sean Johns knew it was time for “Tungamah footy”.
The Bears roared out after the break and it was stand-in captain Jimmy Irvine who was the initiator with the opening two goals of the last quarter.
Tungamah clawed back and drew level against the Swans until time ran out in the Picola District Football Netball League round 17 encounter to leave the sides locked on 9.14 (68) to 11.2 (68) ― the maiden draw of the season.
“We were probably slow out of the blocks and they were all over us in the first half and they should have capitalised, but we stuck in and stuck around and did enough to draw level,” Johns said.
“In the last quarter we were able to play our Tungamah footy, which was pretty much non-existent in the first three quarters. Both sides had a few contests that could have gone either way.
“We had one or two misses that could have swung back the momentum our way.
“(A draw) isn’t an ideal situation, but it was good to experience that finals-like intensity with finals around the corner ... that’s what you get over four quarters in finals.”
In the match between the top four contenders, Katunga started with a bang and led by 18 points at the main break.
Ed Hayne and Xavier Thorp were standouts for the Swans as they held the Bears at bay for the next two quarters.
Without gun forward Ash Saunders, due to suspension, Tungamah needed others to stand up in the comeback effort.
Brad Wilson was classy in the fightback, while Wally Thomson and Irvine provided strong support.
“We had six out from our full-strength side, so the boys showed terrific fight with their backs against the wall and I’m proud of that,” Johns said.
“Brad played his best game for the club. He’s starting to find his best form, the type of form we saw from him last year at Mulwala.
“Sammy, the other co-coach, went really well and Jimmy Irvine, worked well and gave us our spark. He kicked the first two goals in that last term.
“But at the same time we can’t give sides a two-quarter headstart and that’s something we’ll need to address.”
In other contests, Katandra got back to its winning ways with a 64-point triumph over Berrigan and Katamatite boosted its finals hopes with a resounding 106-point thrashing of Mathoura.
Waaia and Strathmerton enjoyed big wins over Deniliquin Rovers and Jerilderie respectively.
Lastly, Katandra’s A-grade outmuscled Berrigan which sets up a mouth-watering top-of-the-table clash this weekend against Rovers.