A YOUNG Barooga brigade led by second-gamer Angus Armstrong claimed a narrow four-point victory over Nathalia after trailing by two goals at half-time.
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Adrian Bonnadio booted five goals as the Hawks banked their sixth win for the season, leaving them just one game behind the unbeaten Tongala.
Coach Leigh Ramsdale said his team’s ability to get across the line in tight contests would prove invaluable as the season tightened up.
“It’s pretty interesting at the moment, for now it’s good to have wins in the bank,” Ramsdale said. “Getting the points over sides like Nathalia is a great confidence boost, coming into the season they were a genuine premiership chance.”
Nathalia kicked three goals to one in the second quarter to hold a 15-point lead at the main break, before the Hawks came back to level the scores at three quarter-time.
Barooga had the momentum and kicked straighter than their opponents in a tense final quarter, eventually running out 8.8 (56) to 7.10 (52) winners.
Ramsdale was pleased with the performance, but said the Hawks would have to improve their disposal if they wanted to remain in the top four.
“There were a lot of aspects of our game that were down on where we’d usually want them to be,” Ramsdale said.
“Our pressure in the first half wasn’t what it should have been, but the players’ credit they were able to turn it around and get their noses in front.
“To be able to do that with key players like Tim Hargreaves, Dylan Brooks and Sam Ryan out of the side is a good thing, especially for guys like Angus Armstrong who stood up and shouldered that burden well.”