Tallygaroopna coach Daniel Clarke understands how important his side’s thrilling two-point triumph over Longwood is in the context of the Kyabram District League season.
It was billed as match of the round and it didn’t disappoint as Tallygaroopna held off a fast-finishing Redlegs outfit to pencil in a 9.6 (60) to 9.4 (58) win at home.
The round five victory gives Tallygaroopna its fourth win of the campaign and has it occupy fourth spot on the ladder.
“It’s that old cliché saying, but I said to the boys it really was an eight-point game that one,” Clarke said.
“If we had of dropped that one then we would be 3-2, but now we are 4-1 and gives us a bit of a break from the rest of the pack.
“We dropped our first game to Undera which we were disappointed with becuase we could’ve been 5-0. It just goes to show you can’t be off each week otherwise you end up paying.”
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Bump: Longwood's Geordie McMurtrie. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 8
Crunch: Longwood's Dakota Pellegrino bumps Tallygaroopna's Daniel Clarke. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 8
Hands up: Tallygaroopna's Rhys Bucktin. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 8
Gentle touch: Tallygaroopna's Campbell Steigenberger. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 8
On the move: Tallygaroopna's Kian Wise. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 8
Eyes up: Tallygaroopna's Dylan Butcher. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 8
Safe hands: Longwood's Mitch Van De Duim. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 8
Eyes over the ball: Tallygaroopna's Daniel Clarke. Photo by Megan FisherIn the battle of the Redlegs, it was the home side that began in a flurry.
Tallygaroopna slammed on five goals to zip in a match-winning opening term which Clarke put down to his side’s “work-rate” and intent.
Clarke was pivotal in defence, while key forward Tom Hill provided a big presence inside 50 with three majors and continues to “hit his straps” after a few years on the sidelines.
Andrew Oldfield was important in the middle and his “work-rate around the ground” earned him big raps from his coach.
Longwood didn’t go home wondering and booted nine goals to four after the first break in a performance that caught the eye of Clarke.
“The first quarter went our way, but credit to Longy they are a much improved side this year,” he said.
“Gone now are the days of winning by 20 goals over them and it’s great to see. You can tell that the coaching staff have put a big emphasis on fitness and we were lucky to get a five goals head start on them otherwise it would’ve been a different story.”
The day was soured for Tally with a serious injury to key defender Rhys Bucktin.
The full-back suffered a nasty groin injury and is set for a stint on the sidelines.
“You really feel for him the poor bugger. He’s put so much hard work in over pre-season,” Clarke said.
Around the grounds, Shepparton East and Nagambie maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign with wins over Avenel and Violet Town respectively.
On Sunday Lancaster ran out a 117-point winner over Merrigum, while Stanhope recorded a 10-goal triumph over Undera.
Dookie United was too strong for Girgarre and ran out a 67-point winner.