MYRTLEFORD has completed one of the great form reversals in Ovens and Murray league history after downing Lavington by five points at McNamara Reserve on Saturday.
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Spanked by juggernaut Albury by 215 points seven days ago, the Saints survived a late shot on goal from Panthers’ regular defender Jono Spina to secure a famous victory.
Spina could have forced a draw when he had a set shot within range with seconds remaining, but his kick floated across the goals and through for a behind.
Myrtleford, no strangers to big defeats in the last decade, executed the biggest turnaround since Yarrawonga rebounded from a 247-point loss to Albury in 1998 to beat Wangaratta the following week.
The Saints conceded the first two goals of the match, but slammed on the next six to lead by 22 points at the first change before a gripping encounter was played out in the second half.
The margin was only one point in favour of Myrtleford at half-time and three quarter time before the Saints raced to a 13-point lead early in the final term.
The Panthers had no bench from half-time with Tom Yensch (calf), Chris Annett (finger) and Jake Way (thigh) out of the match, but a five-goal cameo 150-match milestone man, Luke Garland, ensured they stayed in the match.
Andrew Dess put the Panthers seven points clear mid-way through the final quarter before inspirational co-coach Brad Murray converted following a strong pack mark.
A rushed behind levelled the scores for the second time in the final quarter before Saints’ up and comer, Callum Crisp, a strong focal point across half-forward all day, rolled home a goal at a vital stage.
The goal came from a crucial clearance in the middle of the ground from Murray, who had his opposite number, James Saker, by his side in the final quarter.
Crisp then laid a strong tackle on Adam Butler to halt a Panther breakaway before the visitors eventually had the chance to escape with a draw.
“It is fantastic because we could have easily been mentally scarred from last week,” Murray said.
“We could have been really hard on the players on Tuesday night.
“But we tried to freshen everyone up and lighten the mood and move on.
“Albury is the best side I’ve seen last week.
“But Lavington had a few out and we saw an opportunity to utilise that to our advantage.
“Lavi was always going to keep coming, but for our boys to stand up and persist was just fantastic.”
Murray was ably assisted in the midfield by Christian Burgess and Mitch Dalbosco and the Saints had winners up forward in Crisp and Lachlan Dale, who kicked three goals each.
Burgess, who also spent time up forward and kicked three goals, and Dalbosco are both in contention to represent the O and M league late next month.
Frazer Dale played mainly across half-back and was serviceable in his first senior match for Myrtleford.
Riley and Brady Sharp also played their best games of the season for the Saints.
Elusive Nathan Cossignani also provided some valuable run through the middle of the ground and co-coach Leigh Corcoran chimed in with some important touches.
Lavington moved Luke Garland forward in the second quarter with immediate impact.
He kicked three goals in the term and created some match-up headaches for the Saints.
Brant Dickson and Sam Harris battled hard for the Panthers, but consistent back-up was in short supply.
Panthers coach James Saker was pragmatic about his team’s showing.
“The game was won and lost in the first quarter and we’ve got no excuses,” he said.
After playing off in last season’s grand finals, the Panthers are just going in the early part of the season.
They had Matt Pendergast, Tom Hargreave, Adam Prior and Justin Koschitzke missing on Saturday
But Luke McLellan injected some much needed energy into the line-up and booted two goals from limited opportunities