Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti kicks four in a quarter to start Imperials comeback

Former Essendon livewire Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti had one of his best games in country footy to kickstart one of the best comebacks of the season. Here’s how it happened.

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti kicked four goals in a quarter to ignite Imperials to a win over Red Cliffs. Photographer: Noel Fisher

Imperial coach Brad Vallance has seen some impressive quarters played by his premiership winning team and ex-AFL player Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti over the past 15 months but Saturday’s second quarter against Red Cliffs tops the lot.

The reigning Sunraysia league premiers overturned a 40-point quarter time deficit to a 10-point half time lead with a 10-goal term that had to be seen to be believed.

Playing against a breeze in the first term, Imperials conceded six first quarter goals and were kept scoreless.

10 goals, including four to the former Essendon livewire, turned the game on its head.

In a four minute burst he kicked three goals to get the Imps back into the contest.

Imperials, kicking with the breeze in the final quarter, held on to win by 16 points with McDonald-Tipungwuti kicking five.

“He’s a star, Tippa,” Vallance said.

“Unreal to play with him and I get to sit front row to watch him play.

“When you’ve got a guy like that roaming the forward line, he’s quite dangerous.

“Anytime he gets a shot on goal he rarely wastes an opportunity.

“It was an incredible game from Tippa.”

Imperials premiership coach Brad Vallance. Picture: Noel Fisher

Vallance conceded the first quarter was poor by Imps’ standards.

“I gave the boys a rev up and asked for a lift and they responded well and came out firing,” he said.

“I was disappointed at the start, they outplayed us. I was surprised we played so well and we kicked 10 goals.

“I’m not surprised that the boys were able to lift and show a bit better effort and win the contested ball and get the clearance game going.

“It was probably our best quarter in a couple of years I reckon.”

It could also be the win which kick-starts their season.

The win moves Imps to 4-2 and into the top-four ahead of a tough test against one of the best teams this season, Robinvale Euston.

“The win definitely improved the confidence a little bit,” Vallance said.

“We know we’re a quality team but we’ve been a little bit inconsistent.

“We know there’s going to be games where the opposition challenges us.

“There’s no easy games so we need to make sure we put our best foot forward.”