Bulleen Templestowe beats Whitefriars in the derby to stay in the hunt to avoid relegation from Victorian Amateur Football Association Division 1
WITH its back to the wall, relegation looked all but assured for Bulleen Templestowe when it trailed Yarra Valley by 32 points at three-quarter time just two rounds ago.
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With its back to the wall, relegation looked all but assured for Bulleen Templestowe when it trailed Yarra Valley by 32 points at three-quarter time just two rounds ago.
However seven final-term goals saw the Bullants hit the front late in the final quarter, but there would be one more twist.
Amazingly, Yarra had two shots after the siren to draw the game. The first went out on the full, however the umpire paid a 25m penalty for encroachment.
The second was much more accurate, leaving Bulleen Templestowe with just a draw and a place two and a half games inside the relegation zone, behind the eighth-placed Whitefriars.
This Saturday’s game, at home against Whitefriars, presented Bulleen Templestowe with one last opportunity to keep its season alive.
And, the home side built on its performance of the previous week and quickly put Whitefriars to the sword at Ted Ajani Reserve.
“We certainly rolled on with the momentum through the last quarter against Yarra Valley,” Bulleen Templestowe coach Anthony Palmer said. “I also think we’ve been playing some good footy against the top-of-the-table teams without reward.”
Although Palmer described the win as a four-quarter performance, it was a six-goal second term that was the key to a 13.11 (89) to 8.10 (58) win.
“It was quite even for most of the game, but it was a 20 minute patch in that second quarter where we got on a bit of roll,” Palmer said. “We played pretty consistently over the four quarters and we probably could have done a bit more damage in front of goal, but we just missed a few opportunities.”
The win leaves Bulleen Templestowe a game and a half behind Whitefriars with another must-win game against the fifth-placed Prahran Assumption at home this Saturday.
“I think it would take a miracle for Whitefriars to win one of their next three games, which are all against top-four sides so that means avoiding relegation is in our own hands,” Palmer said.
Meanwhile, in Premier, Old Trinity’s form slump continued as it was dealt its third consecutive loss by Collegians at home, 10.7 (67) to 8.10 (58).
Old Carey demolished a hapless Fitzroy at home in Premier B, 19.13 (127) to 3.10 (28) giving it a comfortable three-game buffer inside the top four.
Marcellin remains at the top of the Premier C ladder following a win at Old Camberwell, 12.16 (88) to 11.2 (68).
And, in Division 4, the Manningham Cobras cruised to a comfortable win over Box Hill North at home, 14.12 (96) to 4.11 (35).
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