MPNFL: Connor Leslie’s smother wins it for Karingal in first semi-final

The Karingal player who effected a desperate smother that led to a last-gasp match-winning goal has spoken about the clutch play. SEE THE VIDEO

It didn’t look good for Karingal when Pearcedale’s Luke Jennings crumbed the ball from a contest in the last minute of Sunday’s MPNFL Division 2 first semi-final.

Scores were level and Jennings was about to drive the Dales deep into attack.

That’s when Karingal vice-captain Connor Leslie “acted on instinct” and dived across Jennings’ boot, smothering the ball.

In the same play, Leslie took possession of the footy and banged it on his boot, sending Karingal forward as the clock ticked down.

Karingal forward Darcy Hope pounced on the ball and got it over to skipper Dale Alanis, who did the rest, slotting the winning goal with 25 seconds left.

Karingal had won a classic, 17.13 (115) to 17.7 (109), and Leslie was a reluctant hero.

The 23-ytear-old recounted those frantic final moments.

“I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time,” he said.

“And then I was lucky enough for it to bounce up to me and I just had to get it forward after that because the boys were looking dangerous up there, so I got it on the boot and it worked out.

“It was a bloody good goal by Donk (Alanis). It was the icing on the cake.”

Leslie said he wasn’t known for the desperate one percenters, joking he’s “a bit of an outside pretty player”.

“Funnily enough in Round 18 I smothered a ball and there’s a photo of it and I sent it to Skin (coach Luke Forsyth) to say, ‘it’s probably the first smother of my career, it must be coming up to finals time’,’’ he laughed.

“It’s as if I preempted it.

“I’m not normally known for the hard stuff I must admit.”

Forsyth said it was a tough win by his boys after a tense battle.

“At the 30 minute mark of the final quarter is when you finally break them,” he said.

“That last two minutes there were plenty of key moments that’s for sure.”

Forsyth said his players’ willingness to put their body on the line in a hot finals contest was pivotal.

“I haven’t seen the stats yet but the one percenters would have been through the roof I reckon, and that’s what won us the game in the end,” he said.

Karingal skipper Dale Alanis.

Jordan Pomeroy was instrumental down back for Karingal after going into the game under an injury cloud.

“He hurt his back against Somey,” Forsyth said.

“He struggled all week and was probably fifty fifty to get up.

“He had five intercept marks in that last five minutes. He was brilliant down there.”

Matt Robinson kicked six goals and Darcy Hope four, delivering in the big game, while Lachie Hinde’s goal from the boundary in the last quarter was crucial as Karingal stormed home after trailing by 26 points at three quarter time.

The win catapults Karingal into a preliminary final showdown with Somerville.

The winner will play Langwarrin in the grand final.