EFL 2018: Lilydale records a 42-point come-from-behind win after claiming after-the-siren thriller

LILYDALE engineered one of the all-time great escapes after Brad Lowe kicked the winning goal after the siren to eliminate Bayswater from the Division 2 premiership race.

LILYDALE engineered one of the all-time great escapes after Brad Lowe kicked the winning goal after the siren to eliminate Bayswater from the Division 2 premiership race.

With his side trailing by five points and only seconds remaining in the knockout final at Tormore Reserve, the Falcons co-captain caught Bayswater skipper Joel Galvin and was awarded a free kick for holding the ball about 35m out directly in front.

LIONS END THREE-YEAR LOSING STREAK IN STYLE

GUMBLETON INSPIRES BEARS TO PRELIM BERTH

HAWKS TO CONTEND FOR CLUB’S FIRST FLAG

With a preliminary final berth against Upper Ferntree Gully up for grabs, Lowe converted the shot to give Lilydale a 10.13 (73) to 10.12 (72) victory.

Remarkably, Lilydale had kicked just one goal to the 10-minute mark of the third term and trailed by 42 points.

But it a stunning turnaround, the Falcons kicked nine of the last 11 goals to come away with a one-point victory and a win that will go down in Eastern Football League folklore.

Lilydale coach Ben Neagle. Picture: Hamish Blair

Lilydale coach Ben Neagle said it was the best win he had been a part of.

“Coming into halftime we didn’t play anywhere near what we were capable of,” Neagle said.

“I just said to the guys that we mightn’t win the game but it was more about just trying to get back to how we wanted to play the game.

“They had it in on their terms, they were winning the inside ball, we were too loose across our half-forward line and they were cutting us up with possession.

“It was just about trying to get pressure back on the ball and winning the ball at the contest.”

Beau Mitchener was a star in the ruck to be best afield, while Lowe and fellow co-captain Lachlan Wilson led from the front.

Adam O’Donohue gave Lilydale the lead for the first time since early in the first term nine minutes into the last quarter when he nailed his set shot.

Ryan Harvey extended the advantage to nine points just four minutes later until two consecutive goals from Matthew Cunningham tilted the scoreboard back in Bayswater’s favour.

After a tense final 10 minutes, it was left to Rowe to cover himself in glory and keep Lilydale’s premiership hopes alive.

The Falcons will meet Upper Gully on Saturday at Tormore Reserve from 2.10pm.

MORE LOCAL FOOTY NEWS

‘BOOMER’ KICKS STUNNING MID-AIR GOAL

BULLDOGS PREVAIL IN CLASSIC QUALIFYING FINAL

LIONS PRIMED FOR GRAND FINAL GLORY

RAMS ELIMINATED FROM DIVISION 4 FLAG RACE