EFL 2019: Tom Lockman gives Rowville victory over Noble Park with kick after the siren

WATCH: Third-gamer Tom Lockman proved to be the hero for Rowville, ending an eight-game losing streak against Noble Park with a goal after the siren.

Tom Lockman kicked the matchwinner for Rowville in his third game. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Small margins.

They were what defined Rowville’s two-point win over Noble Park at Seebeck Oval on Saturday.

There were just a few seconds left when Tom Lockman marked with the final foray forward from an Anthony Brolic clearance.

The Bulls had hit the lead in the final minute but the game rested on the boot of third-gamer Lockman.

He set sail on a helicopter punt from beyond 50m, with the ball scrapping over the goal line in captain Alex Frawley’s 200th game.

There were two lead changes in the final 30 seconds but the Hawks prevailed 10.13 (73) to 11.5 (71), consigning Noble Park to its fifth consecutive defeat.

WATCH | @Rowvillefc and @NobleParkFC produced one of the most thrilling finishes of the season on Saturday with two lead changes in the final 30 seconds including a goal after the siren as the Hawks snared a two-point victory! #EFLPremier

Check out the final moments: pic.twitter.com/KTkm0cfm9v

— EFL (@footyefl) June 1, 2019

Rowville coach John Brown noted the Eastern Football League’s starting positions “probably came into play where we had a one-on-one”.

Lockman has proven to be a cool hand in front of goal early in his senior career.

He also kicked the sealer against Vermont in Round 6 to inflict the Eagles’ first loss of the season.

“He had a quite day overall but when we needed him to step up and he kicked an important goal for us under pressure,” Brown said.

“He’s kicked two clutch goals from outside 50m and I guess that’s some good belief he’ll have for the future.”

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It was just the second time Rowville has beaten Noble since coming into the top tier in 2013 and the first time since Round 9, 2014.

Brown said the result went some way to “getting the monkey off the back”.

“We had a lot more scoring shots and we probably had an opportunity a few minutes before that to ice the game — 30m out and missed it,” Brown said.

“We made a couple of fundamental mistakes trying to shut the game down and when Tom got the ball in his hand … he sucked the air in a little bit, caught his breath, pulled his socks up and he went back — to give us the win and celebrate the day and Alex’s 200th was really important.”

Noble Park hit the front with just 20 seconds left, allowing Rowville a last-ditch bid to win a centre clearance.

“The umpires actually paid advantage for Noble and rewarded them a goal from a free kick,” Brown said.

“If they actually had have played that out and gone back, the clock would have run out and they would have had a shot on goal themselves.

“Because there was an advantage, the clock stopped so we actually had time to get a centre clearance and move the ball forward. That gave us an opportunity.”

Rowville is 4-2 and fourth on the Premier Division ladder.

Former Bull, Port Melbourne-listed Benny Giobbi, was best for the hosts and Steve Georgiou booted four goals.

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