Tom Grimes kicks four goals to inspire Hurstbridge’s upset win over Macleod

Coming off an 87-point hiding and missing four key players, Hurstbridge produced one of its finest victories. Plus, Greensborough’s thrilling GF rematch win.

Nick Milne in action for Hurstbridge. Picture: Josie Hayden

Without four key players Hurstbridge produced one of its finest NFL Division 1 wins under coach Jarrod Tilley on Saturday.

Missing captain Lachie East (back), vice-captain Jamie Smith (knee), Cameron Cloke (concussion) and Mitch Dale (collarbone), the Bridges outlasted Macleod by six points at Ben Frilay Oval.

With scores level at three-quarter-time, the home team held their nerve to claim a 13.10 (88) to 12.10 (82) win and erase the memory of last week’s 87-point defeat to Heidelberg.

Having returned from Eastern league club Warrandyte, Tom Grimes was the hero with four goals – including the match-winner – in an outstanding performance in midfield and attack.

“I knew we could turn it around, a lot of what went wrong last week was us,” Tilley said.

Jamie Smith was one of four key players missing for Hurstbridge. Picture: Hamish Blair

“It went goal-for-goal in the last quarter and Tom kicked the last goal to put us ahead and we had a couple of minutes to hang on.

“It was a fair old game from Tom, he took his chances in front of goal but also does a lot of in-and-under – his one per cent stuff is unbelievable – he’s probably had 10 tackles as well.

“We had control of the ball for the last minute, which is always good, but it’s always a nervous time until that siren goes.”

Without several key players Hurstbridge put its trust in youth and Tilley was impressed by their composure under intense pressure at the end of the game.

“We had a really young side in, I think we played five or six under-19s, I just told them it was important to win our home games and we’ve got to find a way.

“Our captain didn’t play, our vice-captain didn’t play, so we needed them to stand up on the day and they did.

In a see-sawing contest, the Bridges held a four-point lead at quarter-time but trailed by six at the main break.

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Macleod had the scoring end in the final quarter but weren’t able to breakdown the determined Hurstbridge defence.

Joel Naylor kicked three goals in an enthralling battle with Macleod defender Ned McKeown, while Nick Milne and Zach Reichert also impressed.

Rhys Rigoni and Hayden Paynter were the Roos best with Jose Miliado and Hayden Gill both booting three majors.

Hurstbridge is back at Frilay Oval on Saturday for a clash against North Heidelberg while Macleod travels to rivals Heidelberg.

FISHER THE HERO FOR BOROUGH IN EPIC NFL GF REMATCH

In just his second senior game Ben Fisher was Greensborough’s hero in a thrilling one-point win over West Preston-Lakeside.

The rematch of the 2019 NFL Division 1 grand final lived up to the hype with the two powerhouses put on an enthralling contest at War Memorial Reserve.

With two minutes remaining and scores level Fisher, 18, popped up and snapped a classy goal to give the Borough the lead.

Tom Bell kicked a behind shortly after to seal the 11.8 (74) to 10.13 (73) victory with Roosters big man Matthew Harman kicking a goal seconds before the final siren to bring his team so close.

“He’s a good kid, he’s only 18, was the last player cut from the Northern Knights squad but is still in the train-on squad down there,” Greensborough coach Mick Harford said of Fisher.

Ben Fisher won't forget his first goal in senior football.

With scores level at the 26-minute mark of the final quarter in the Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 grand final rematch, Fisher kicked the match-winning goal to help @GreensboroughFC to a one-point win. pic.twitter.com/skvw9NjRaD

— Northern FNL (@northernfnl) April 18, 2021

“He played really well last week against Whittlesea, showed some terrific signs, didn’t have a great day (on Saturday) but to pop up and kick a goal like that to win the game is really exciting for him.

“It’s great for our guys to see a junior player come through and have an impact in the senior team.”

Greensborough needed Fisher’s late-game heroics after coughing up a 19-point three-quarter-time lead.

The Borough kicked six goals to two in a barn-storming third term to put themselves in the box seat but the lead evaporated as West Preston-Lakeside launched a comeback bid.

Harford breathed a sigh of relief after the siren.

“We played really well in the third quarter thought we were on top in the game, then they got on top in the middle,” he said.

“They got some easy clearances, when they go forward that quickly they’re dangerous, and next minute the scores were level and we were in a tussle.

“The last quarter was quite congested and we happened to be on the right end of a good bit of play at the end to snatch it.”

A late snap from youngster Ben Fisher sealed the win for @GreensboroughFC over @RoostersWPLFC in a titanic GF replay in the @northernfnl match of the day at War Memorial by a single point. pic.twitter.com/diIID1cgyd

— Nathan William Media (@nwmsports1) April 17, 2021

Harford rated Billy Bedford as Greensborough’s best player after holding star Roosters forward Ahmed Saad to three goals, while youngster Thomas Brindley also impressed.

Making his debut, ex-AFL winger Nathan Hrovat impressed with two goals.

“Nathan’s a class player, he’s played 60-odd AFL games, he’ll get fitter as we go and he’s happy to be a part of what we’re doing,” Harford said.

“He kicked a couple of goals, played an important hand in some contests and when he gets the ball is just class. He’s sort of the replacement for Charlie Molyneux.”

Mitch Tobin was best afield for West Preston-Lakeside with 2020 recruit Ethan Penrith impressing off half-back for the second straight week.

Greensborough has claimed back-to-back wins to start the season after accounting for promoted Whittlesea in Round 1.

Early-season wins are more important to Harford than revenge for the 2019 grand final loss.

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“I’m sure deep down some of the players had some extra motivation but it wasn’t something we talked about,” he said.

“Both teams had seven or eight different players, it’s been 18 months since we played each other, and from our perspective they’re favourites so we’re chasing them.

“We found in 2019 by getting off to a fast start you aren’t in that middle patch of the ladder that can be a constant battle.”

The Borough will look to make it three-from-three when it hosts Montmorency, while West Preston-Lakeside will look to bounce back against Northcote Park.