A goal from Narre Warren forward Jett Kearney in the dying stages of the Southern Division 1 contest evened up the scores in a thrilling draw against Bentleigh.
The Demons had repeat entries inside 50 in the final seconds of the game but the siren sounded before Joshua Mackie could release a shot on goal.
Coming into the game, the Magpies hadn’t won since Round 3, whereas Bentleigh hadn’t lost since the same round, and both of those statements still ring true as the teams halved the points.
The Magpies didn’t get the win they came for, but given the late control that the Demons had on the contest, the siren sounded at a pretty good time.
Coach Steven Kidd said the side was determined to bounce back against Bentleigh after last week’s 23-point shock loss against Murrumbeena,.
Despite starting the game well and controlling the opening quarter, the Magpies missed some very gettable shots early which ultimately cost them in the end.
“We wanted to bring a bit more of an effort after the Murrumbeena game, we were pretty disappointed with the way we went down there,” Kidd said.
“This week, we probably had an opportunity to put a few goals between us and them … but it made us work hard, because in past weeks we have got a four or five goal buffer and let it slip.
“Unfortunately we couldn’t get the job done in the end but we made steps forward and hopefully we are starting to build towards better form as the season goes on.”
The contest was even all day and the stage was set for a thrilling finish with Narre Warren leading by six points as the final quarter began.
Kearney kicked the Magpies’ only two goals in the final quarter, to finish with four for the match and take his season tally to 13.
“I thought it was an excellent game from Jett, I spoke to him before the game about lifting his pressure and tackling, and he did that perfectly,” Kidd said.
“He has been really good for us this year since coming back from Berwick Springs and has shown he is more than capable, kicking goals in every game this year.”
In close games, you look to your leaders to pave the way and set the tone for the team, and what a couple of great examples Narre Warren has.
Joel Zietsman had a game-high 34 disposals, as well as seven marks while Trent Papworth had 17 disposals and seven marks.
“The two captains were probably our best two players all day really, Zietsman was cleaning up across half back and Trent was like a rock at full back, those two had fantastic games,” Kidd said.
The Magpies coach said the past month of football had been a “learning curve” for his side which is still chasing consistency across four quarters.
“We know that if we drop off just a little bit and give sides any sort of sniff, they will pile on goals against us,” he said.
“So, it’s about bringing the effort and consistency for four quarters and that’s what we are trying to do, be hard at the ball, stick to what works for us and do it for longer.”
Narre Warren’s open netball side lost its second consecutive match in the top division of Southern Netball, as it went down to Cheltenham by nine goals.
The Magpies will look to bounce back this Saturday but it will take their best effort when they take on Edithvale Aspendale who sits second on the ladder with a 7-1 season record.
NARRE WARREN 2.5 5.6 7.12 9.13(67)
BENTLEIGH 1.1 5.3 7.6 10.7(67)
Narre Warren Goals: Jett Kearney 4, Julian Goerlitz 2, Dejan Janjic, Riley Siwes, Hamish West.
Best: Trent Papworth, Joel Zietsman, Jett Kearney, Julian Goerlitz, Jacob Mutimer, Thomas Russell.
Bentleigh Goals: Matthew Colak, Jack Hastings, Castan Racunica 2, Lachlan Lawrence, Joshua Mackie, Caleb Sheahan, Mitchell Smart.
Best: Thomas Smith, Ben Cooper, Caleb Sheahan, Mitchell Smart, Alex Lvovsky, Andrew Walker.
