Heading into Round 15, Narre Warren was looking almost untouchable at the summit of the Premier Division ladder, unbeaten having played twelve games.
However, second-placed Woori Yallock, themselves with only two losses to Narre Warren and Monbulk, sought to bring their opponents down a peg in perfect conditions at the Woori Yallock Recreation Reserve.
In the final quarter, the scores were tight, Woori Yallock up by one 13.17, 95 to Narre Warren’s 14.10, 94.
Woori Yallock nabbed a goal two minutes in through Joel Adams, who got a handball out from a scrappy contest at the top of the square, sidestepped, and snapped home, much to the joy of Woori Yallock’s supporters.
It wouldn’t last long however, as Narre Warren won the centre clearance, kicked long and deep to key forward Will Howe, who edged his opponent out to take a mark and slot home his eighth for the day and peg back Woori Yallock’s lead to a point. Howe’s tally took him to 47 for the season, third overall in the division.
Woori Yallock eventually won the next centre clearance, before Narre Warren won a free kick from a boundary throw in their defensive 50. A C-shape switch followed, where the final kick exiting was cut off and given to Hayden Smith, whose running shot started right and stayed there, registering a minor score.
Narre Warren exited quickly, taking it down the far wing inside 50, before Robert Allen’s desperate tackle pinned Howe holding the ball just as he looked towards goal.
Following a Woori Yallock attack, Narre Warren once again transitioned quickly, with a searing ball inside 50 spilled by Howe on the lead, before a quick shot from Daniel Toner missed the lot, going out on the full.
The ball bounced back and forth through the centre of the ground before the Tigers won a stoppage on the far wing from a boundary throw-in. A deep entry was sent to the top of the goalsquare where Josh Neal brought the ball to the ground for Woori Yallock, right into the waiting hands of Mathew Robinson, whose quick snap and the goal had everyone of a Tigers persuasion up and about.
The remaining minutes went by with only Woori Yallock registering another point, despite a couple of hairy moments in the defensive 50.
In the end, the Tigers secured a thrilling 9-point win, coming out on top 15.19, 109 to 15.10, 100. They led at every change throughout the match, 1-point at quarter time, 23 at halftime, before it was down to only 8 at the final change.
It was a team effort for Woori Yallock that got them over the line, with 11 separate goalkickers. Kody Busoli kicked 3, Josh Neal and Kane Thompson 2 and one apiece for Joel Adams, Robert Allen, Mitchell Arnold, Josh Hawkins, Jude Hay, Jason Lindgren, Mathew Robinson and Hayden Smith.
Woori Yallock’s best on the day were Kane Thompson, Liam Odea, Robert Allen, Robert Swan, 16-year-old Baylin Spencer and Bradd Arnold.
