Wimmera finals clash decided in double-overtime finish
Incredible scenes unfolded in the Wimmera league where an elimination final needed double-overtime to decide a winner. See the details.
Dimboola required two periods of overtime to down Stawell in a drama-charged Wimmera league elimination final on Sunday to stay in the premiership race.
The match was sent into overtime when the two teams were level at full-time on 87 points each and after the first period of extra time consisting of five minutes each end Dimboola led by six points when the siren sounded.
But Stawell forward Paul Summers booted a goal to level the scores and send the match into a second stanza of extra time.
Dimboola was the only team to score in the second round of overtime and finally won by 14 points, 16.18 (114) to 15.10 (100).
Star midfielder Dylan Landt finished with four goals in a best-on-ground performance.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been a part of a game like that,” Dimboola co-coach Dean Tote said.
“Everyone had a moment where they played out of their skin to help get us the win.
“Dylan (Landt) kicked four goals from the midfield and I reckon every one of those came when we were behind.
“We were disappointed it was a draw at time and that got us revved up ready for overtime.”
Tote shares the Dimboola co-coaching job with former AFL player Andrew Moore, who joined the club two years ago from SANFL club North Adelaide.
Jackson Calder and Johnathon Ross booted three goals for Dimboola and ruckman Josh Fowkes and forward Cody Driscoll, who kicked six goals, kept Stawell in the match.
“This game was great for us mentally,” Tote said.
“It shows that when the heat is on we hang on and fight through it.”
Dimboola faces Nhill in another do-or-die first semi-final after Nhill was no match for Southern Mallee Thunder in the qualifying final the previous day.
Thunder won by 57 points to earn the right to play flag favourites Ararat, which will be missing co-coach Tom Mills due to a one-match suspension.
“We’ve played Nhill early on in the year and had a pretty big win (92 points) and at the next meeting we were quite a few guys short and they won by eight points,” Tote said.
“We’ll focus on the sore bodies and make sure we bring the pressure and out-hunt for the ball.”
