In an incredible finish the Towners were able to outlast the top side by one point in a dramatic final home-and-away game.
When the Avenel coach gifted the Towners a 50-metre penalty after the siren it gave Nick Brazil a chance from 65m but then another 50m penalty was given, as an Avenel player walked through the mark Brazil went from centre half back to the goal square to deliver the away team an emphatic victory in a finals-like game that may give the Towners momentum to win four on the trot.
Coming from four goals down at three-quarter-time the undermanned Towners kicked eight goals to three to storm over the more fancied Avenel.
Jack Exell needed five goals for his 100 and duly saluted early in the third, finishing up with seven. His best buddy on ground tried to give Exell every opportunity, Josh Mellington himself kicking six of his own and spent plenty of time in the middle but his give to Exell to kick his 100th was special, 190 now between the pair.
Jack Exell follows his father to kick 100 in a season. A Geelong champion, Gavin kicked 100 for Stanhope some years ago, pretty sure a father-and-son duo in the KDFL this hasn’t happened before.
Ollie Ford was brilliant again. The raging bull canted to 36 possessions, Matt McCarty had 34 possessions and three goals. Harry Sleigh was at his best.
Violet Town will play Nagambie on Sunday at Lancaster in an elimination final. Basically the Towners now must win the next four games, one at a time. Exciting times but hard roads ahead. Nagambie is the first challenge in the first do-or-die contest, a few key ins will help. We look forward to seeing you all at Lancaster on Sunday.
Violet Town: 17.5.107 def Avenel: 15.16.106
Best: O. Ford, M. McCarty, J. Excell, J. Mellington, N. Brazil, F. Brazil
Goals: J. Excell 7, J. Mellington 6, L M. McCarty 3, N. Brazil 1
RESERVES
Violet Town 4.10.34 def by Avenel 11.10.76
Best: J Corbett, J Davies, J Stewart, C Jansen, E Harris-Heaney, M Davies
Goals: J Fox 3, T Bardic 1