MYRTLEFORD kept its top-three hopes alive with a courageous six-point win over Wangaratta in abysmal conditions at McNamara Reserve on Saturday.
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After only kicking two goals up until three quarter-time, the Saints kicked the final three goals of the game to win 5.9 (39) to 4.9 (33) and keep the pressure on third-placed Yarrawonga.
Myrtleford is all-but assured of its first finals berth since 2006, with losses to Wodonga Raiders and winless Corowa-Rutherglen the only thing that can now stop the Saints featuring in post-season action.
But the Saints’ finals prospects may have taken a hit with Hugh Wales a late withdrawal from their side on Saturday to play for Footscray in its narrow win over Box Hill in the VFL.
Even if Wales plays the last two matches against the Raiders and Roos, it will leave him one short of the nine-match finals qualification needed for VFL players.
It would now appear the only way Wales can play finals with his hometown club would be if he is delisted by the VFL Bulldogs.
While Wales and the injured Frazer Dale, who also needs to play the final two matches to qualify, would be added bonuses, the Saints should have plenty of belief heading into September.
The Magpies looked the more dangerous side early in the match, with Michael Newton and Matt Grossman dominating in the opening quarter and they could have led by more than seven points at the first change.
But the impressive Christian Burgess and former Magpie Jarrod Hayse then stepped up and were instrumental in the second quarter as the Saints took a one-point lead into the main break.
A new football was sensibly introduced for the second half and it was Sam Confait who immediately capitalised, sending the Saints seven points clear with a clever snap.
Brad Melville, who was the Magpies’ best player, goaled to tie things up just before three quarter-time and set the scene for a thrilling final quarter in what was a see-sawing affair.
The Magpies appeared on their way to a memorable victory five minutes into the final term when goals to Jesse Smith and Ben Douthie put them 13 points clear.
But goals to Burgess, Hayse and versatile big man Matt Dussin, who moved from defence into the ruck, inspired the Saints to an against-the-odds victory.
Chad Martin, who bravely played just a day after losing his mother Sharon after a long battle with cancer, was another big contributor for the Saints with a goal-saving tackle in the last quarter drawing praise from co-coach Brad Murray.
“It shows huge character from the boys, just to stick in it, because it was such challenging conditions,” he said.
“You automatically think in the last quarter that a two-goal lead is going to be tough to get but to the boys’ credit they just kept having a go and we got the result.
“Maggies had a red-hot crack at us and played equal, if not better, footy than us.
“The game could’ve gone either way so to get the points, with the way the season is, is fantastic.
“Today had a finals feel to it with a bit on the line.
“We’re in control of our own destiny if we keep winning.”
The result means Wangaratta will walk a finals tightrope for the remainder of the season.
Brendan Cairns’ charges now need Wodonga Raiders to slip up in the final three rounds if they are to return to September action for the first time since 2011.
“Both sides had a red-hot crack and Myrtleford were in front when the siren went, which is disappointing for us,” Cairns said.
“That’s the way it is.
“We just need to control the things we can control. We had the chance today and we didn’t take that chance so now we have to take our next two chances.”