By Ken Moore
LADDER leaders, Nilma-Darnum, kept its unblemished winning record intact and showed its class by staging a come-from-behind thrilling five-point victory over Catani in front of another big crowd at Darnum.
Trailing by 15 points midway through the last quarter the Bombers appeared headed for defeat, but scored the last three goals to steal victory over the gallant Blues.
The winning goal was scored by Nilma-Darnum trickster, Kael Bergles, who conjured something out of nothing when he kicked a ball out of mid air from a pack of players 30 metres out that sailed through the big sticks – much to the dismay of the Blues’ defenders.
Little separated the two teams all match and a draw would have been a more fitting result.
It was a torrid affair played in greasy conditions on a ground that was boggy in the middle and chopped up elsewhere, which led to plenty of body-on-body physical contests and played a big part in the low scoring.
Nilma’s victory was underpinned by strong defence from Cowwarr recruit Shane Morgan, youngster Chris Wellerand Chris Aurisch, who did well to contain key Blues’ forward Owen Fitzpatrick after he kicked two boom-ing goals in the second quarter.
Small ruck-rovers Shane Youngman and Jamie Cann relished the ground-level duels and won many possessions and Mal Michael (three goals) had his usual commanding presence and took a handful of telling marks.
When Nilma hit the front late in the game, Catani still refused to throw in the towel and launched a number of attacks that forced the Bombers to move Michael from the forward line into defence in the closing minutes.
Half back Fiatupu Too Too was a driving force all game and midfielders Andrew Stockx, Sean Pickering and Justin Evans pumped the ball forward on heaps of occasions.
Luke James (three goals) showed his usual cool authority under pressure and Luke McFarlane ran with Bomber tyro Kael Bergles and made him earn every kick.
Bomber coach Brad Sinclair, somewhat unusually, lined up Bergles, his star forward, in the backline in the first half.
Blues’ strongman Paul Youle was seldom pushed off the ball and his fellow ruckman Phil Smith doubled as key forward target with two goals in the third quarter.
Both teams had plenty of sore bodies after the match and will look forward to the week’s Queen’s Birthday weekend break.
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