CORRYONG gained a psychological boost on the eve of the Upper Murray league finals by edging out ladder leader Bullioh by six points at Corryong on Saturday.
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After losing their previous meetings by 20 and 27 points this season, the Demons were hell-bent on turning the tables in the countdown to the finals.
They led by 35 points at half-time and appeared to be coasting with coach Evan Nicholas and Matt McNamara dominating on the ball.
But Bullioh hit back strongly and almost pinched victory before Demon Adrian Rijnbeek kicked the sealer in the dying moments.
Corryong were forced to play one-short in the final quarter after Matt Dekoeyer was sent from the field for swearing.
Danny Demarte and Dan Low sat out the second-half due to injuries.
“It’s good to know we can beat them,” Nicholas said.
“It was about self-belief and a real mental thing for us.
“They are a well structured side and I thought we defended really well.
“It was a good win as they are a good team.”
Tom Nicholas, Jamie McCarthy and Mitch Harris provided strong support for Nicholas and McNamara while Rijnbeek had his moments in attack.
Bullioh coach Clint Ried threw himself into the ruck after half-time to lift his charges and they responded in style.
Jake Fisher-Curnow picked up plenty of touches in the midfield alongside Hamish Clark.
Ben Commins and Alex Freeman also turned in solid performances.
“We knew Bullioh would come back hard and they did,” he said.
“I was just glad we were able to hang on in a pretty good game of football.”
Both teams went into the clash with key players missing and are set to be strengthened in coming weeks.
Border-Walwa defeated Tumbarumba by 59 points.
With Daniel McCarthy dominating with seven goals, the Roos were never challenged with Deryn Harding linking up superbly around the ground.
Daniel Leeworthy, Tom McGibbony and Benji Davidson picked up plenty of touches.
Tumbarumba’s Thomas Bennetts was outstanding in defeat kicking three majors while James Crozier and Jack Vogan were solid against the odds.
Federal thrashed a struggling Cudgewa by 131 points at Cudgewa.