Myrtleford co-captain Mitch Dalbosco kicked a goal with 39 seconds left to break Wangaratta Rovers' hearts on Easter Sunday.
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In the best match so far, Rovers bravely turned a 38-point half-time deficit into a two-point lead until the skipper, who was playing his 100th match, nailed a left-foot snap from 25m on an angle to win by five points.
His team-mates swamped him in front of one of the biggest crowds seen at the Saints' home in the modern era.
"I didn't know how much longer there was to go, all we needed was to get it on the boot and get it through," he said seconds after the siren.
Dalbosco had been outstanding all match, racking up 28 possessions.
"That's the script you'd write, that's a fairytale that one," co-captain Matt Dussin said.
That's the script you'd write, that's a fairytale that one. All credit to Mitch, he's worked his backside off every week for 99, and now 100, that was a bit of cream on top.
- Matt Dussin
"All credit to Mitch, he's worked his backside off every week for 99, and now 100, that was a bit of cream on top."
A swarm of supporters crushed into the dressing room, which was pumping.
"The script couldn't have been written any better, Mitchy Dalbosco's 100th, to kick the winning goal, a man down (Tom Ellard had been sent off), it's a real character building win," delighted coach Jake Sharp said.
And, more importantly, it was the game the O and M desperately needed.
In the first 15 games, the closest margin was Wodonga Raiders' 37-point win over Yarrawonga last week.
It's also the first time the Saints have won their first three games since 1996.
"It's absolutely huge, I mean we haven't been very good at the start of seasons over the last few years and wins are so vital at this point," Dussin said.
Myrtleford now travels to Yarrawonga on Saturday and while it's an even-money bet, if the Saints can win it sets up the prospect of claiming the first six matches as they try to play finals for only the second time since 2006.
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