Bairnsdale put up one of its best efforts of the season on Saturday, falling just four points short of an upset win over Wonthaggi in round 14 of the Gippsland League at Bairnsdale City Oval.
The Redlegs went down by a single kick after missing three crucial chances to steal victory in a tense final five minutes.
Both sides kicked five goals in a spirited opening term, with Wonthaggi taking a narrow one-point lead into the first break. The third-placed Power showed their premiership credentials with a six-goal-to-one second-quarter blitz, stunning the home side and opening up a 27-point half time margin after making the longest trip in regional footy.
However, Wonthaggi had not banked on a sensational Bairnsdale fightback in the second half.
Hunting in packs and tackling furiously, the Redlegs generated constant inside-50 entries. Hywell Nicholls kicked an early goal in the third term after putting his body on the line, before Power forward Cooper McInnes (four goals) answered back.
Bairnsdale persisted, storming back into contention with four goals in 10 minutes to reduce the margin to eight points. Oscar Morrison (four goals) booted two in quick succession — the second capping off an end-to-end team highlight — while Brayden McCarrey crumbed his second and Tyran Rees snapped a brilliant effort around his body.
Eight points down at the final change, Bairnsdale trimmed the deficit within the first minute of the last quarter when McCarrey slotted his third. Further majors to Morrison and Jesse Bills inside the opening 10 minutes pushed Bairnsdale seven points ahead with all the momentum.
Wonthaggi regrouped like a veteran side. McInnes snapped his fourth, and after an unpredictable bounce beat defender Oscar Clarke, Jack Blair capitalised to kick his fifth and put the Power back in front.
Both sides had opportunities in the closing minutes, but Bairnsdale could only manage three behinds — the last a set shot from Morrison from 40 metres out inside the final minute — before the siren sounded to the immense relief of the visitors.
Ethan East was impassable at half-back for Bairnsdale, while Rees (38 disposals) and Cooper Vickery racked up possessions at will. Max Neate and Randall Stewart provided bite in the midfield, with Jonah Walker and Morrison dominating in the air. For Wonthaggi, former coach Jarryd Blair booted three goals, with Bryce Joyce (32 disposals), Isaac Chugg (23), Jack Blair, Hunter Tiziani, Jasper Shone and Jayden Burns among their best.
Bairnsdale senior coach Kane Ashwood praised his group’s resilience after absorbing Wonthaggi’s second-quarter surge.
“Our young side has been working particularly hard over the last month and we are getting reward for effort — I loved the way we worked back into the game,” Ashwood said.
“Our form is outstanding at present with a very young and developing list. We have pushed top-three sides Warragul and Wonthaggi in consecutive weeks off the back of beating Morwell.”
The Redlegs travel to face Drouin at Drouin Recreation Reserve this Saturday.
