ANOTHER brilliant display from star onballer Jamie Sheahan helped Wangaratta Rovers hold off a gallant Myrtleford by 12 points on Saturday.
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The Alpine Saints took it right up to the Hawks in the hills, leading by a point at half-time.
But seven goals from Sheahan, his best haul as a Hawk, got Rovers over the line to retain fifth spot on percentage.
“Jamie was outstanding,” Rovers coach Paul Maher said.
“We started him forward against North Albury in round 1 but hadn’t really revisited that until Saturday.
“We thought we’d try it again and he was great.
“He became another target for us.”
Sheahan spent most of the game in attack alongside Daniel Archer and Jarrad Boumann, but still had his customary run in the midfield.
While Sheahan was the stand-out, Darcy Booth’s composure across half back and Shane Gaston’s work around the ground was also telling, with youngsters Dylan Wilson and Cody Schutt also coming under notice.
Archer led hard up the ground, vacating the forward 50 for Boumann and Sheahan, with Boumann kicking two goals.
Myrtleford co-coach Brad Murray was hampered by his troublesome hamstring and started his 100th game deep forward.
He kicked four goals in the first term and finished the game with five.
Kristan Height had leather poisoning, racking up possessions at will.
Maher said he was always wary of the Alpine Saints.
“We knew they had plenty of incentive,” he said.
“With Brad playing his 100th and Leigh (Corcoran) being out, we knew it might gee them up a bit and they’d find a bit extra.
“It was a good standard game, I thought.
“We were very happy to get away with a win.”