NFL 2019: Lower Plenty stuns Montmorency in Division 1 season opener
Lower Plenty produced a turnaround for the ages to claim a win against the odds in the opening round of the Northern Football League season.
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Lower Plenty produced a turnaround for the ages to claim a win against the odds in the opening round of the Northern Football League season.
Trailing by 35 points at the first change, last year’s Division 2 premier sparked a massive momentum shift as it went on to defeat Montmorency by 36 points, 16.19 (115) to 11.13 (79).
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The revival was made even more remarkable considering it all happened in the second and third quarters, when the Bears kicked 12 goals to one.
Skipper Patrick Flynn said an improved intensity at the football proved to be the difference in the Division 1 fixture.
“We talked about it and knew we could turn it around, but to turn it around by halftime was a bit of a surprise,” he said.
“That intensity, combined with strangling their usage when they had it, we really worked them over in that regard.
“It was really pleasing to play that quality of football.
“It goes to show our best footy is good enough, but it’s up to us to keep finding it.”
Club president Grant Keys said there were a few nerves after Montmorency kicked seven goals to one in the opening term.
“It looked like Div 1 was not everything we thought, but the guys showed fantastic fight to get back in the second quarter and continued on with it in the third quarter,” he said.
“It was a really solid performance and showed us that we can absolutely mix it in Div 1.”
Darcy Barden was named Lower Plenty’s best, with Flynn and Ben Paterson (four goals) also standing out.
Keys said the Magpies were simply much quicker out of the blocks.
“We are very pleased to be back in Div 1 and we thought we deserved to be there and wanted to make sure the competition knew that,” he said.
“It was really important in all sorts of ways, on and off the field, to start the season well.
“It was a great night back in the rooms as well.
“It’s just good suburban footy, which is what it’s all about.”
The Bears will meet Greensborough in Round 2.