Jesse Murphy slots seven goals as Langwarrin edges Chelsea in gripping finish

LANGWARRIN co-coach Blake McCormack declared his side’s season “away’’ after it dug deep to score a gripping one-point win over second-placed Chelsea on Saturday.

Karingal’s Nathan McDonald boots the Bulls into attack against Red Hill on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

LANGWARRIN co-coach Blake McCormack declared his side’s season “away’’ after it dug deep to score a gripping one-point win over second-placed Chelsea on Saturday.

The Kangaroos had lost several close games this season but showed nerves of steel to come from 21 points behind in the last quarter and secure a crucial 15.8 (98) to 14.13 (97) result.

“Our backs were against the wall because we’d lost two close ones...and had a draw…and the talk around the footy club was maybe the boys don’t know how to win,’’ McCormack said.

“So to come from 21 points behind with 20 minutes to go, we definitely know how to win and we feel our season can be away now because there’s a lot of pressure off the lads.

“It was just so important for the football club. We had a team meeting on Thursday night and we said it was a must-win game for us.’’

Langwarrin co-coaches Josh Beard (left) and Blake McCormack embrace after their side's one-point win over Chelsea.

Langwarrin recruit Jesse Murphy was a stand-out, booting seven goals, and in the dying stages of the game he pushed down back and took a big contested mark from a kick-out.

The game was a shoot-out, with Chelsea spearhead Curtis Bywater firing off six goals at the other end.

But Langy’s drive from the likes of Blake Harkness, Gerard Brown, Sean Herdman, Zach Andrewartha and Dan Wehner proved decisive.

Langwarrin, eighth, has won three of its past four games.

The Karingal-Red Hill game was also decided by a solitary point, with the Bulls prevailing 9.12 (66) to 9.11 (65).

Karingal’s Andy Mathers.

Jake Archdeacon and Buddha Hirst were crucial in the last quarter as Karingal came from seven points behind to snatch the lead.

Aaron Paxton, Nathan Villella, Michael Burke and Grant Goodall also impressed for the Bulls, while for Red Hill Lachlan Chandler, Jonah Siversen, Josh Mold and Jon Ross (four goals) did well.

“We probably didn’t play our best footy but you only play as well as the opposition lets you and they played really well,’’ Karingal coach Brett Dunne said.

“We couldn’t stop them for a while there. I think we played our best footy in the last quarter.’’

The win lifted Karingal (6-1) into second spot, a game clear of third, yet Dunne is still reluctant to label his side a genuine contender.

“I don’t think we know what our footy side is yet. I reckon Dromana are a stand out,’’ he said.

Justin Farrelly (Karingal) breaks a tackle.

Crib Point broke through for its first win of the season, beating Devon Meadows 9.8 (62) to 6.11 (47).

Jacob Cook and Tim Cook were sensational for the Magpies, while Tyler Wilton (three goals) and Brad Davidson (two) kicked crucial goals in a low-scoring affair.

Brothers Zak and Harrison Dekleuver were also key figures in the rousing win.

Unbeaten Dromana continued its dominance, thumping Pearcedale, 25.9 (159) to 6.12 (48).

Terry Wheeler ran rampant for the Tigers, while Jack Gipp (four goals), Ethan Johnstone (four), Beau Cosson (three) and Will Geurts (three) provided many avenues to goal.

The Tigers kicked 11 goals in the second quarter to sprint to a 15.3 to 1.9 lead at half time.

Somerville playing-coach Andrejs Everitt capped a best-on-ground performance with seven goals as the Eagles smacked Tyabb, 20.12 (132) to 7.8 (50). The former Bulldog, Swan and Blue played in both attack and defence and was unstoppable. Nathan Gillis, Ben Sedgwick, Billy Rolfe and Kane McKenzie also did well. Somerville (3-4) is in seventh spot.

Hastings beat Rye by six points to celebrate Colin McVeigh’s 200th game for the Blues. In a great contest between two evenly matched teams, it went down the wire; Hastings improving their record to 4-3.