Border Mail – Round 8 Review
Culcairn survived a withering final quarter from Howlong to keep its top three hopes alive with a thrilling seven-point win on Saturday.
“In all honesty, we tightened up from the start of the last quarter,” Culcairn coach Josh Hillary said.
“What we hadn’t done all year was win away from home and obviously it was looking like being the case again.
“They got a bit of a roll on and we couldn’t contain them.”
Lions’ wingman Tim Hallinan was the visitors’ best, while Fijian flyer Mosese Baleidrokadroka was typically dynamic in defence.
Dennis Pedemont also kicked five goals in a strong display.
“We just got a little bit complacent, we allowed them to dictate to us,” Hillary said.
The Lions head into the June long weekend break with a four-four record, so it’s hard to believe they could be complacent, but wins over the top two teams have steeled the team’s confidence.
“If we hadn’t beaten Brock (Burrum) and Henty and our wins had come against lesser lights, obviously the belief wouldn’t be in the camp like it is at the moment,” he said.
Blake Williams was Howlong’s best, while Daniel Manning kicked three goals.
Elsewhere, Henty’s Damian Cupdio and Jarrah Maksymow blitzed Holbrook in the 17.13 (115) to 9.7 (61) win.
Cupido kicked eight goals and Maksymow four, while Holbrook’s 100-gamer Andrew Mackinlay booted three.
Brock-Burrum defeated Lockhart, 6.10 (46) to 3.7 (25).
The Saints’ Aidan Johnson was the only multiple goalkicker with two, with Kade Garland best on ground.
Osborne hammered Billabong Crows, 19.16 (130) to 4.7 (31).
Connor Galvin landed five majors and Marty Bahr four as Declan O’Rourke starred for the premiers.
Jindera spearhead Trent Castles kicked six in the 13.6 (84) to 11.9 (75) win over CDHBU.
Michael D’Arcy chipped in with two to be the Bulldogs’ strongest, while Russell Anderson kicked two for the Power.
And Rand-Walbundrie-Walla toppled Murray Magpies, 13.14 (92) to 9.5 (59).
Kris Milosta bagged four for the Giants, while Daniel Maher did likewise for the Pies.
