Rutherglen has posted one of the most emotional wins in its proud history.
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The Cats came from behind early to topple Wahgunyah’s unbeaten run, 10.10 (70) to 8.10 (58).
The match attracted one of the league’s biggest crowds for a home and away match in honour of former Rutherglen coach Karl Jacka, who passed away with stomach cancer in January.
All money raised went to the Albury-Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre.
“Obviously it meant a lot to the whole community,” Cats’ coach Damien Wilson said.
“Definitely, in a home and away game, it’s the most emotional one I’ve been involved in.
“You don’t get a crowd like that week in, week out, it was definitely special to be a part of.”
To gain an understanding of how big the crowd was, the players were forced to sing the song outside the dressing room.
“There was literally no room, so we went outside and sung the song and I addressed the guys in front of everyone.” Wilson said.
“It was a day for the whole club, the whole community.
There was literally no room, so we went outside and sung the song and I addressed the guys in front of everyone. It was a day for the whole club, the whole community.
- Damien Wilson
“We were the guys that had the game on our shoulders and it was good to get the result.”
The Lions held a 19-point lead at quarter-time, before the Cats started to fight back.
“We train for scenarios like that, coming from behind but we always had faith in our group,” Wilson said.
The first-year coach was the Cats’ best, while Dylon Simpson also impressed.
John Spencer kicked four for the home side, while Kodee Lowe was the Lions’ only multiple goalkicker with three.
It means there’s no unbeaten teams, with Rutherglen joining the Lions and Thurgoona on five wins.
Thurgoona’s Matt Fowler booted seven goals in the 28.11 (179) to 15.7 (97) win over Beechworth.
Cody Mannagh was outstanding for the visitors.
Kayde Surrey was the pick of the Bushrangers, while Kylin Morey landed five.
Barnawartha belted Tallangatta by nine goals, 15.13 (103) to 7.7 (49).
Matt McLinden booted five to win best on ground, while Ben Kunkel posted four.
Kiewa Sandy Creek hammered Wodonga Saints, 34.11 (215) to 9.6 (60), with Bryce Garvey kicking 11 goals.
Chiltern’s Brent Newton kicked eight against Dederang Mount Beauty in the 17.14 (116) to 5.1 (31) win, while Mitta’s Drew Cameron starred in the 17.12 (114) to 8.7 (55) win over the Roos.