Masterful coaching moves by Daryn Cresswell and an inspired Wangaratta Rovers came within 39 seconds of snaring the great escape against Myrtleford on Easter Sunday.
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The Hawks looked shot at half-time, but the master mentor pushed defender Nick Murray forward and altered Dylan Stone's game as the visitors roared from 38 points down to the lead with 10 minutes left in the match.
But a piece of poise by Saints' co-captain Mitch Dalbosco with a left-foot snap from 25m pushed the home team to a riveting 12.11 (83) to 11.12 (78) win.
"Credit to Rovers, for two quarters we really crushed their run on the outside," first-year Myrtleford coach Jake Sharp said.
"I know 'Crezza' (Cresswell) must have put a rocket up them because they were a totally different team."
The Hawks had been reactive in the first half.
"We reset a bit at half-time, put Nick Murray forward, played Dylan Stone out of the (goal) square and closed their stoppages down a bit," Cresswell said.
The pair combined for the first goal 90 seconds after half-time, Stone cleverly tiptoeing along the boundary line and drilling it from 5m.
From the centre, Tom Ellard bowled over Raven Jolliffe and Richmond VFL player Charlie Thompson goaled from the 50m free kick.
Murray also received a free kick and after just five minutes, the margin was 19 points.
Stone then took a wonderfully courageous mark when sandwiched by opponents and speed machine Jack Gerrish found Jolliffe, who set up Thompson's second.
Murray flew high from 15m out as the Saints held a three-point lead at the break following their goalless quarter to the Hawks' six.
Ellard steadied the visitors from 45m, before he was charged with striking Jolliffe and sent off for 15 minutes, with just over 13 minutes left.
"Mate, I was copping it all day, a bit of frustration came out," he said after the game.
Jolliffe received 50m, nailing the shot, and then the ever-alert Stone played on after a free kick to snatch the lead for the first time since the opening point.
The final 10 minutes were enthralling with Dalbosco's effort stealing the match.
He was superb, along with Barnawartha recruit Paul Harrington.
Coach Jake Sharp was best on ground at half-time, while Nathan Laracy and Matt Dussin were composed late.
Stone and defender Michael Clark were terrific.
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