GFL: North Shore ‘lucky’ to draw with Grovedale despite leading by six goals
The GFL has its first draw of 2023, with Grovedale and North Shore unable to be separated after four quarters. Find out why one coach believes his side was ‘lucky’ to draw.
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North Shore coach Darren Winter says his side was lucky they were not overrun in the final quarter thriller against Grovedale, with the two sides unable to be separated at the final siren.
The Seagulls led at every break of the contest, including a 37-point advantage going into the last term, but the Tigers booted 5.8 in the last quarter to draw level at the final siren.
Winter said North Shore was “lucky” to hold on for a draw after a dominant last quarter for Grovedale.
“Honestly I think we were pretty lucky to get away with a draw there, they were coming pretty hard late,” he said.
“They peppered the goals a fair bit and I think we were playing to hold on a bit.
“We had a really defensive approach to try to hold on, which probably wasn’t how we should’ve played it.”
Grovedale was wayward when going for goal, with the 8.19 (67) to 10.7 (67) scoreline flattering the Seagulls.
Winter said there was last-quarter controversy when a goal was called back that would have put North Shore up by more than seven goals.
“We were about six goals up and we were running into an open goal but it was called too far,” he said.
“It would’ve put us up by seven goals a couple of minutes in the last quarter, then they started to win centre clearances after that.
North Shore welcomed back a number of VFL-listed stars that provided the Seagulls with plenty of quality around the ground, with Beau Tedcastle playing his second game of the season, and Sam Azzi making his North Shore debut.
Winter said the inclusions made a clear difference to his side’s fortunes.
“Getting five senior guys in makes a massive difference, we just moved the ball a bit cleaner and the pressure was much better throughout the game,” he said.
“We were so much more improved throughout the game, it just couldn’t come together in the last quarter.
“That’s why they’re training with the VFL sides and trying to play there, they make us all a bit sweeter and can control the game much more even when we’re not in possession of it.
“The boys did a really good job, hopefully we can hold onto the boys for a little bit longer but we also like seeing our guys get the chance to play up in the VFL.”
Both sides will face a 2022 grand finalist next week, with North Shore travelling to Leopold to face the Lions and Grovedale will visit St Mary’s in round 8.
Originally published as GFL: North Shore ‘lucky’ to draw with Grovedale despite leading by six goals
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