Myrtleford overcomes enormous injury toll to beat Lavington

The Saints had no bench after the four-minute mark of the final term, while teenager Declan Breen played on with his left arm hanging limply by his side after a first quarter collision, but kicked five goals to two after half-time to end Lavington's premiership reign with an inspirational 11.10 (76) to 7.8 (50) away win.

"I could not be prouder of the group, we were undermanned, but blokes stood up, they did that extra bit, fantastic team performance," delighted co-coach Jake Sharp offered.

Former AFL player Kurt Aylett limped off in tears at half-time after re-injuring his troublesome left hamstring, defender Nathan Laracy struggled off after five minutes of the third term and another top player in Elijah Wales hobbled off, holding his right hamstring, early in the last stanza.

The injuries only added to the tension as Myrtleford, tipped as a premiership contender pre-season, desperately needed to win to keep the pressure on Wangaratta Rovers for the double chance, while Lavington faced the prospect of falling two wins out of the top five with just seven rounds left.

The league hadn't reached the heights of the pre-COVID break, but a pulsating first half restored order with eight lead changes.

Panther Shaun Driscoll showed his class and zip with two goals early on, including a superb snap, but Saints' teenager Josh Muraca produced the moment of the first quarter when he kicked the ball across his body from 40m in front of the grandstand.

Lavington's Marty Brennan then had a magic three minutes in the second quarter, nailing a set shot from 45m to regain the lead, before snaring two terrific pack marks.

The second set up Aidan Johnson for the club's biggest lead of the match, eight points.

But from there, the 12-minute mark, the Panthers kicked 2.5 to 7.9.

Ex-VFL player Matt Munro (25 disposals) retained his remarkable run of featuring in the best in his 10 games, sealing the win after marking out wide and running around for a blistering effort.

Defender Brady Sharp blanketed Brant Dickson, while Matt Dussin (23 touches) did likewise against Johnson.

But it was the work of the unheralded Brody Ricardi (21 touches), Bren, Muraca (two goals apiece) and Co which proved pivotal.

Lavington is almost certain to become the first premiers in 35 years to miss the five.

"Again it was just the way we moved and used the ball, the skill errors," coach Simon Curtis explained.

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Brennan (31) stood out, while Nick Meredith kept Ryley Sharp goalless.

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