Mirra final quarter powers Collegians to one-point win

Collegians were supercharged by an ex-AFL footballer in the last quarter to win by a point and keep their ‘unbelievable’ win streak alive.

A final quarter charge, led by skipper David Mirra, has lifted the Collegians to a one-point triumph and its eighth straight win against a gallant University Blues who led by 15 points at three-quarter time.

Lions leading goalkicker Mirra was the star of the show booting five goals for the game and three in the final quarter to set his side up for a likely finish in finals as they play the bottom two sides in the last two games.

Mirra kicked back-to-back goals in the last quarter to put his side back in front by a point where they went on to hold the lead.

The Blues made a late charge at Harry Trott Oval as scores levelled with a few minutes left although it was Collegians who pinched the win 11.9 (75) to 10.14 (74).

Collegians walking off after their one-point win over University Blues. (Max Hatzoglou)

Mirra said the game was a “real tussle” and a vital result for their season.

“We didn’t play our best footy,” Mirra said.

“We just hung in there and gave ourselves a chance in the last quarter.

“We were able to go forward and give ourselves a chance of putting on a score and in the end we just fought hard and we came across with a one-point win.

“Really important for our season.”

The Lions started the season with three wins before losing five straight. The club are now on a eight-game win streak which Mirra was pleased with.

“It’s been an unbelievable eight weeks that’s for sure,” he said.

“There’s time throughout that game where you think, ‘Oh geez, I don’t know if we’re gonna get over the line’, but we just found something.

“And that’s what good teams do, when you get challenged, when you’re three goals down at three-quarter time, good teams find a way to win and we did that.”

The former Hawthorn footballer said the premiership window was wide open this season.

“We’re capable of anything I think,” he said.

“I think any team within that top five is looking at it right now and going, ‘we’re a red hot chance to win the flag’, that’s for sure.

“It’s an open field at the moment.

“Look, we’ve knocked off every team so we should go in with a certain level of confidence but who are we to say we are going to win, we only had two wins last year.

“We still got a lot of work to do but we have given ourselves a chance of being there in September and if your there in September, anything can happen.”

Coach Jared Rivers complimented his players for their commitment this season.

“From where we were last year, nearly relegated, we were not sure where we sat this year, now winning eight in a row, all credit to the playing group,” Rivers said.

VAFA Footy - Collegians v St Kevins OB

“The buy in that they’re showing each week is really important and it shows you, if you all buy in to what we believe in anything is possible.”

The Lions won two of 11 games last season before the campaign was brought to an early end due to Covid.

Mirra has played a key part in the Lions turnaround with a 36-goal season, the fourth most in the competition.

Rivers credited Mirra for his last quarter performance.

“Dave Mirra, three goals in the last, captain of our club with Sam Hibbins, but to see a leader stand up like that just shows he is a pretty good player,” he said.

“He was a clear standout.”