Ethan Lowe kicks after-the-siren goal to lift Watsonia over Thomastown

Ethan Lowe was “ice cold”, kicking truly after the siren, to secure Watsonia a thrilling victory, while two 17-year-olds delivered special performances.

Watsonia players celebrate a goal. Picture: Field of View Photography

To steal a line from Sandy Roberts … Ethan Lowe, you are the King of Watsonia.

With the siren gone at Binnak Park and the Saints down by two points, Lowe held his nerve and kicked truly to deliver a heart-stopping four-point triumph over Thomastown.

Coach Anthony McGregor labelled the reigning NFNL Division 2 league goalkicker “ice cold” and “hardcore” after the 12.7 (79) to 11.9 (75) win that keeps the club’s survival hopes alive.

“I don’t think there’s anyone in the competition you’d want the ball in the hands more,” McGregor said.

“Cold as ice, obviously the siren had gone, and he went back and drilled it. That’s hardcore.

“From a possible exciting win, to the depths of despair, to a euphoric victory, all the emotions in 45 seconds.

“Everyone took off and I just sat on the bench, I had a tear in the eye, and I had fathers coming up to be baling it meant to much to a lot of people.

“It was the best feeling and the best win I’ve been involved in coaching.”

Thomastown had rallied from 10 points down late in the fourth quarter and took the lead with just 60 seconds remaining.

A long kick-out fell out the back to Bears captain Anthony Capeci and he showed all his class to take a bounce and kick truly from 55m.

The visitors looked to shut the game down but a Tom Jackson quick kick landed in the hands of Ben Callaghan at half-forward and he hit a leading Lowe with 10 seconds on the clock.

The goal was Lowe’s fifth of the game and he sprinted away to be mobbed by teammates and supporters.

“You look at a side who hasn’t had a lot of victories, for us it’s enormous,” McGregor said.

Earlier, Watsonia had fought back from 27 points down in the first quarter after Thomastown kicked the first four goals of the game.

The comeback was sparked by a pair of 17-year-olds; Jamison Leeson celebrating a 100-game milestone and Northern Knights teammate Jai Bartzis.

Cody Tulloch celebrates a goal for Watsonia. Picture: Field of View Photography

Bartzis kicked the Saints’ first goal of the game and Leeson kicked a critical major in the last.

McGregor revealed a special moment pre-game.

“Jamo’s poise and speed and skills and actual footy IQ is above his age,” he said.

“He’s taken a step forward and that’s only going to help him at TAC (Coates League) level, playing against some really big bodied players at Thomastown.

“Then you’ve got young Jai, who’s also at Knights.

“Bolts did our pre-game circle and (Jai) called them all back in and said ‘I’m sick of f-ing losing, we’re winning today’ and it just got everyone up.

“That’s incredible, that’s spine-tingling, and maybe a coming of age for someone that just wants to succeed.

“And he played that way too, he took the mickey at times, I challenged him before the game because he is one of the fittest and most talented out there and he goes ‘I’m going to run them off their legs’.”

Key defenders Callaghan and Jake McSwain were outstanding throughout, while Lowe, Leeson, Luke Whyte and Nick Lawson also shone.

The win keeps Watsonia’s hopes of remaining in Division 2 next year alive.

It is now a game, and significant percentage, behind Thomastown in ninth, while Old Paradians won to give itself breathing space.

The Saints face Northcote Park, Paradians, Lower Plenty and Macleod in the run home.

“It was crucial in the end with Old Paradians winning,” McGregor said.

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“For us, we’ve got four more games and we’ve got to potentially win three of them, at least two.

“We’ve just got to put ourselves in the mix and give ourselves a chance, we can only win and hope others lose.”

Elsewhere in Division 2, Old Paradians edged Panton Hill by 13 points to move clear of relegation danger, while St Mary’s eased past Lower Plenty by 23 points.

Ladder-leader Diamond Creek was too good for third-placed Whittlesea, prevailing by 41 points in a finals preview, and Macleod battered Northcote Park by 76 points.