MYRTLEFORD put Wangaratta Rovers firmly in the hot seat heading into the final round after a crushing 57-point win against the hapless Hawks at the W.J. Findlay Oval on Saturday.
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After starting 0-6, the Alpine Saints could finish with a hat-trick of wins and a fantastic springboard into next season.
But the same couldn’t be said for the Hawks, who dropped out of the five and must beat wooden-spooner Wodonga in the last round to make the finals.
The Hawks were ruthlessly exposed from the first bounce as Myrtleford charged to a 21-point lead at quarter-time.
The Rovers gifted the Alpine Saints two goals from defensive blunders and never recovered when key defender James Mulligan was concussed early.
Co-coach Brad Murray and Mitchell Dalbosco were irrepressible in the centre and repeatedly pushed the ball forward.
Jarrod Hayse (eight marks inside 50) was a major headache in attack, while Elijah Wales provided another highlight when he converted from an impressive mark.
Sam Carpenter was one of the few Hawks who could lay hand on ball before two late goals from Lochie Dornauf.
Jamie Sheahan kicked the first goal of the second term, but Dalbosco produced the quick reply and the Alpine Saints pushed out by 41 points at the long break.
The defence of Riley O’Shea, Hamish Leahy, Brady Sharp and Reece Corcoran, squeezed the life out of the Hawks.
The carnage continued after the break when Brody Riccardi kicked three quick goals to put the result beyond doubt.
Daniel Archer, who was subdued in the first half by Leahy and O’Shea, kicked his first goal 13 minutes into the third term.
He finished with three goals and 13 marks, but the damage had been done.
Brad Murray returned to the midfield and had 26 touches, while Kristan Height used the ball to good effect and booted two goals.
Myrtleford has an exciting crop of young talent, with the next wave of Wales, Luke Quirk and Lachlan Dale, all sons of ex-Saints, displaying plenty of promise.
Murray said 16 of Saturday’s team were aged 22 or under.
“We wanted a big scalp before the end of the season,” he said.
“We’ve got a really good bunch of young blokes and the boys love being around the club.
“They got some reward by playing the way they did today.”
The Hawks were left stunned.
Coach Paul Maher said he and his players had an “open and honest discussion” after the game.
“It was a disappointing effort and Myrtleford wanted it more,” he said.
