Rover Jack Gerrish breaks match open in 17-point win against Myrtleford

With the Hawks holding a tenuous nine-point lead against a strong wind, the 21-year-old took off through the middle of the ground to find Tyler Cornish for the match-sealer in a 7.10 (52) to 4.11 (35) thriller at home.

"As (co-coach Daryn Cresswell) 'Crezza' says, 'we all have moments and that was mine so I took it, hopefully it contributed to the win," he said modestly.

Gerrish is rapidly becoming a human highlights reel.

"We spoke about moments in games and Jack Gerrish had a great moment, it mighn't be your day, but it might be your moment, he's done that twice for us now," Cresswell offered.

Gerrish produced a piece of magic in the final minutes against competition favourites Wangaratta on April 18 to win the game.

Even Myrtleford's co-mentor had to recognise the effort.

"You have those players in your team for those reasons and they're moment players and he's got pace to burn, so when you play to your strengths like that, only positive things happen," Jake Sharp conceded.

Although it was a close game, the prospect of a high-quality encounter between two finals bound sides was blown away by the breeze.

Rovers kicked five goals to three with the breeze, but also landed two majors to one, including the Gerrish-Cornish combination, against the wind.

In the end, it came down to regular ruckman Ed Dayman's three goals in the first 10 minutes with the advantage which proved match-defining.

"Our start didn't help, that three-goal margin early blitzed us and in the end it was nearly a three-goal margin, but after that we really defended that end of the ground well," Sharp suggested.

Rovers other goal against the breeze was another pearler.

Midway through the second quarter, 50-gamer Cody Schutt, Sam Murray and Tyson Hartwig combined in defence, before Tom Thynne burst down the wing to find Cresswell's son Jake, who kicked long to an unmarked Cornish.

The ex-Gold Coast Suns' reserves on-baller combines power and poise, while in Hartwig, Will Nolan and Murray (35 touches), the Hawks are difficult to break.

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Lachie Dale (37 disposals) was dynamic, landing two goals, while workaholic Matt Dussin and defender Ryan Crisp also featured.

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