Greensborough and West Preston-Lakeside play out remarkable draw

A last-season behind saw one of the matches of the NFL Division 1 season end in a draw, adding a remarkable chapter to an intense rivalry.

Zak McCubbin kicks a goal for Greensborough. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Greensborough and West Preston-Lakeside added another remarkable chapter to their rivalry on Saturday.

A Borough behind with just seconds left on the clock ensured one of the matches of the NFL Division 1 season ended in a thrilling draw at War Memorial Reserve.

The Roosters had taken a one-point lead with under a minute left and looked to have secured a famous four points.

However, the home team would not be denied and won a clean centre clearance to rush the ball forward and level the scores at 12.15 (87) to 13.9 (87).

It’s the second draw in as many weeks in the Northern Football League after Lower Plenty and Thomastown couldn’t be separated last week.

Alexander Federico celebrates a goal for West Preston-Lakeside.

Such was the frantic finish, Greensborough coach Saade Ghazi didn’t see who kicked the final point.

“There was a bit happening in the last 30 seconds that’s for sure,” he said.

“They got it down against the flow of play and got an easy goal and with 30 seconds left we were a point down.

“To get a centre bounce (clearance) and get another score was a reward for us, we didn’t give up.

“I said to the group after the game you’d rather a draw than not get any points.

“We bombarded inside 50s in the last quarter and we had our opportunities but it was probably a fitting result for both teams.”

West Preston-Lakeside led by five points at three-quarter-time and quickly made it an 11-point buffer.

However, Greensborough quickly snatched the momentum – having 15 inside 50s to seven – and but couldn’t convert its on-field dominance to the scoreboard, booting 2.6.

Thomas Bell in action for Greensborough. Picture: Valeriu Campan

As the Borough laid siege to its defence, the Roosters were able to break the wall and rush the ball forward in the final minute for what looked like the winning goal.

But in a final twist, Greensborough surged again to secure a hard-fought two points.

Ghazi lamented a lack of composure in front of goals.

“There was a little bit of that at the end, we rushed a couple of shots,” he said.

“It was pretty exciting and full-on in the last three or four minutes of the game.

“We could have given it away (after the West Preston-Lakeside goal) but to get it out of the centre square and get another behind with 30 seconds left was a great effort.

“We created opportunities and got back in the game, that’s what we strive for to be in a winning position in every game we play.

“That’s why I’m not disappointing, it would be a lot worse if we were here with no points after a loss.”

After missing last week, Tom Bell was outstanding for Greensborough, booting three goals.

Bell and Roosters’ Team of the Year defender Max Dreher had an enthralling head-to-head battle throughout the day.

Rayden Garrard and Matt Harman battled all day in the ruck with both players named in their team’s best.

Zac McCubbin also kicked three majors for the Borough, while Josh D’Intinosante, Michael Ercolano, Aiden Tilley and Steven Callanan all kicked two for the visitors.

BFL: COVID CANCELS COUNTRY FOOTY MATCH

LEADER: GET YOUR NORTHERN FOOTY NEWS HERE

HISTORY: HOW HEIDELBERG ACHIEVED FOUR-PEAT

Adam Valeri and Alex Federico were the Roosters’ best, while Angus Seivers and Matt Haynes also impressed for the Borough.

Both sides will now have to regroup ahead of difficult Round 7 matches.

Greensborough tackles top-of-the-table Heidelberg, with the Tigers coming off an impressive victory over Bundoora, while West Preston-Lakeside faces Montmorency.

In other results, Northcote Park (103) secured its second win of the season against Hurstbridge (90), Montmorency (85) edged North Heidelberg (75), Whittlesea (82) took advantage of an inaccurate Macleod (75) and Heidelberg (96) impressed against Bundoora (60).