Macleod will finish the Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 season atop the ladder after downing West Preston-Lakeside by 33 points in Round 17.
In conditions that were heavy underfoot, the Roos trailed by five points at the main break after early missed opportunities in front of goal.
But a nine-goal to three second half saw the away side run out 14.13 (97) to 9.10 (64) winners at J.E. Moore Park to earn a week’s rest in the first week of the finals.
The Kangas had the ball camped in their forward half for plenty of the contest, but were unable to assert any real dominance until the third term.
Co-captain Justin White was a standout across half back, with his ball use a step above on a day where efficiency was at an atypical low.
Shane Doherty – who was named in his side’s best players for the 10th time this season – played a crucial role swinging from midfield to attack, while Reid Brandt was the most damaging forward on the ground with four majors.
West Preston-Lakeside struggled to find an imposing target up forward without Ahmed Saad, with the home side finishing with nine goals – all to individual goal kickers.
Andrew Walker was clearly the Roosters’ best player, with his elite foot skills and calmness under pressure often getting them out of trouble.
Brad Sanderson, Luke Lirosi and Jackson Clarke’s presence was felt around the stoppages and were critical to the home side’s half time lead, while Luke McKenna played a solid role rebounding off half-back.
It was turnovers galore in the first quarter as neither side was able to gain real ascendancy on the contest. Macleod had plenty of the play early but was wasteful in front of goal, while the Roosters were threatening with counter-attacking play.
Matthew Clark opened the scoring two minutes into the contest, before Nathan Valladares – who was the Roosters’ leading target in the forward line – replied soon after. They were the only goals kicked in what was a short, dour first term.
Brandt and White kicked the opening two goals of the second term to take Macleod out to a 13-point lead. But just as it looked like the away side were about to hit its straps, the home side put its foot down.
West Preston-Lakeside, who needed to win to remain hopeful of a double-chance in the finals, settled down and took more care with possession, snatched the lead with five of the next six goals.
But a Jai Swainger set shot late in the term steadied the momentum for Macleod and brought the margin back to just five points at the main break.
The third quarter was completely dominated by Macleod. The ladder-leader controlled the game through the middle of the ground, getting on top in the clearances and pushing forward regularly.
But despite their dominance around the field, the Roos’ poor kicking going inside 50 meant they didn’t capitalise on the scoreboard until the 13-minute mark, through a goal to Patrick Martin.
Brandt’s third major from long range was responded by West Preston-Lakeside ruckman Steven Hiho, who marked in the goal square to put through his side’s only score of the quarter.
Doherty and Ned McKeown converted their respective set shots as Macleod finished the term on a high, taking a 16-point advantage into the last change of ends.
The opening goal in the final quarter was going to be crucial for both sides. Lucas Hobbs was able to will the ball forward from the opening clearance, where Martin was waiting to collect the ball and snap truly in the opening minute.
Luke Dowdle capped off a solid performance with an opportunistic goal out of congestion, and from there the Kangas were too hard to reel in.
Final score: West Preston-Lakeside 9.10 (64) def by Macleod 14.13 (97)
