Myrtleford edges out Yarrawonga in another O and M thriller

The Pigeons' season was on the line after four straight losses and while they led for around 75 percent of the match, it was high-profile Saints' recruits Taylor Hunt and Kurt Aylett who landed crucial goals in the last nine minutes to post an 11.7 (73) to 8.15 (63) away win.

The visitors' win follows last week's escape against premiers Lavington.

Ironically, the losing team against Myrtleford both times had 23 scoring shots to 18.

"Our boys will be there until the final siren, they'll keep cracking in, it is a sign of a good team (that you can win when not at your best)," Saints' co-coach Jake Sharp said.

"We just can't rely on that every week, sooner or later, it will come back and bite us."

Myrtleford led for just 29 of the 106 minutes, but bitterly disappointed Pigeons' coach Mark Whiley wouldn't entertain the thought that the better team lost.

"Doesn't matter mate, we lost," he said.

The Pigeons were clearly the most intense side early, grabbing a nine-point lead by quarter-time after Matt Casey kicked two of his three.

Lachie Dale handed the Saints the lead for the first time early in the second term, but the Pigeons soon stole it back.

However, a three-goal term from Saint Ryley Sharp, including a 50m goal from the boundary after the siren, saw the visitors take a two-point lead to half-time.

Boom Yarrawonga recruit Leigh Masters was outstanding in defence, taking a courageous mark floating back into a pack and he played a key role in regaining the lead, along with some clumsy work in defence, as Tim Lawrence swooped.

The final stanza was riveting as Dale and Riley O'Shea missed from 15m apiece, but former Geelong and Richmond defender Hunt regained the lead when he kicked truly from a set shot 40m out on a tight angle.

Whiley's left foot snap hit the post with just under five minutes left to cut the margin to three points, but then former GWS team-mate Aylett sealed the win with a booming effort from 52m and just 8m inside the boundary.

"Mate, I haven't (been a noted goalkicker), I've been a bloke that's played everywhere and done all the roles, so it was nice, obviously I had a sore hamstring (tendonitis), so to come down here (in the forward line from the midfield) and have an impact was what I had to do and play my role," he said seconds after the match.

Dawson Simpson was again outstanding for the Saints, shading Lach Howe in the ruck, while Dale's ability to hit up the ground and take a pressure mark proved enormous.

Teenager Declan Bren kicked three goals, along with Ryley Sharp, while unheralded defender Daniel Roche was terrific.

It was hard not to feel for the Pigeons, who are in their worst slump in 16 years.

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The work of their guns Harry Wheeler, Masters and Whiley, particularly in the final term as they tried desperately to lift their young team-mates, was inspirational.

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