Northern Football League’s under-19 representative side was gallantly defeated by the Western Region Football League in the WorkSafe AFL Victoria Community Championships.
The NFL led for the majority of the game at Preston City Oval, but a late fightback by the WRFL ensured they went home winners in the 6.15 (51) to 5.18 (48) result.
Inaccuracy plagued both sides throughout the entirety of the game.
The home side booted three of the first four goals in the low-scoring affair to gain a 15-point lead early in the third term.
However the WRFL altered the momentum with plenty of poise through the middle of the ground, kicking the next five goals to hold a late 16-point buffer.
The NFL kicked two quick goals nearing time-on in the final term to suddenly reduce the margin to three points, but it was as close as they would get as the WRFL was able to hold on for a thrilling three-point win.
The NFL was superbly led by vice-captain Mark Pavlovski and skipper Clancy Bland who put in courageous performances.
Kyle Green was the best of the small forwards with three majors for the NFL, while Jordan Dimkovski was the away side’s only multiple goal kicker.
Both defences can walk away with their heads held high in a game which was defined by defensive pressure.
Zak Busuttil and Josh Harris led the way in that department for the WRFL, while Tom Brindley stood tallest in defence for the NFL.
The game was very tightly contested early and despite the away team gaining more forward territory, it was the home side who broke the deadlock early through Green, courtesy of a free kick.
Jordan Steele then converted a set shot after the game saw four consecutive behinds, handing the NFL a 13-point lead at the first break.
Both teams enjoyed periods of dominance in the second quarter but were denied opportunities to break the game open with inaccurate kicking.
Bland, Steele, Ben Paterson and Mitchell Hymus enjoyed solid second terms for the NFL, who were unable to kick a major.
Mickey Nicholls booted his only goal of the game for the WRFL but his side trailed by eight points at half time.
Kyle Green kick-started the NFL in the third term with a goal from close range, before the WRFL kicked the next two goals to hit the front for the first time.
The NFL couldn’t find an answer to the WRFL’s quick ball movement, but a late behind to Sam Paterson meant scores were level at the final change of ends.
The final term was ultimately controlled by the WRFL as they were desperate to continue with their third-quarter momentum.
The match became more free-flowing as the legs began tiring, but while the NFL continued to be affected by its goal kicking yips, the WRFL grew out of the habit, booting 3.2 to jump out to a 16-point lead.
With the tone of the game falling the way of the away side, the NFL players refused to drop their heads and fought bravely until the final siren.
A third major to Green and a long-range goal to Pavlovski brought the margin back to three points as an unlikely comeback became possible.
Unluckily, the siren denied the home side the chance to pull off what would’ve been a remarkable victory.
Final score: NFL 5.18 (48) def by WRFL 6.15 (51)
NORTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Goal Kickers: K. Green 3, M. Pavlovski, J. Steele
Best Players: M. Pavlovski, C. Bland, W. Le Gassick, N. Beames, K. Green, T. Brindley
WESTERN REGION FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Goal Kickers: J. Dimkovski 2, M. Nicholls, K. Blake, J. Reynolds, J. Lambley
Best Players: J. Tessari, Z. Busuttil, M. Wright, J. Reynolds, M. Galea, J. Harris
