Montmorency claim crucial win over Hurstbridge to stay in touch with NFL Division 1 leaders
Montmorency survived a big scare from Hurstbridge on Saturday with a final-quarter burst securing a win and keeping the Magpies in touch with the NFL Division 1 leaders after the opening month.
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Montmorency survived a big scare from Hurstbridge on Saturday, edging a 17-point win.
With the result in the balance at three-quarter-time, a four-goal burst sealed the win and keeps the Magpies in touch with the NFL Division 1 leaders.
The Bridges put up a brave fight in front of the home crowd but remain winless after four rounds, succumbing 9.20 (74) to 8.9 (57).
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With scores level at half-time and a blast from coach Garry Ramsay kicked Montmorency into gear but they wasted a host of chances, kicking 1.11 in the third term, to take a slender five-point lead at the final change.
Ramsay joked that the Magpies’ goalkicking coach would be under pressure at training this week but was happy just to come away with a win.
“There were a few rushed behinds, there was bad kicking,” he said.
“I might have to have a word with our goalkicking coach and put him on a first warning.
“It could have gone either way. It was probably only a five minute period in the last quarter that decided the game.”
Jai Robinson was named best on ground for Montmorency, skipper Jesse Donaldson continues to produce every week and Matt White booted three goals.
Robinson crossed to Montmorency from relegated Whittlesea and has fitted in seamlessly.
“Jai’s been fantastic. He’s fitted into the club fantastically,” Ramsay said.
“He was probably our only recruit and his game style suits perfectly how I want to set up our game plan.”
Daniel Keenan, Trent Barbaro and Aiden Clark were best for Hurstbridge as Bailey Jordan and Cooper Perrin kicked two goals apiece.
Sitting at 2-2 after the opening month of the season, Montmorency are sixth on the ladder a game but sizeable percentage out of third.
The Magpies face Heidelberg in the final game before the inter-league break and Ramsay didn’t hold back in his assessment of the club’s start.
“It’s interesting when you take over a new list, a new club, there’s always a bit of unknown,” he said.
“I’d like to be 4-0 but we’re not. I expect to win every week, so at 2-2 I can’t say I’m totally happy.”
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