IN near darkness and driving rain, Central Highlands burst back into the interleague spotlight with a stirring 13-point win in Nar Nar Goon on Saturday.
In a passionate Victorian Country Football Championships arrival for both competitors, the Highlanders prevailed in a genuine, old-fashioned slog over Ellinbank and District league.
It was perhaps Central Highlands’ early accuracy in front of goal that proved telling in the end.
Springbank forward Tom Eltringham was dangerous with two first-quarter goals as the Highlanders, who had 10 inside 50m entries to their rivals’ nine, speared out to a 21-point lead at the first break.
Five straight behinds were costly for the hosts, who moved the ball well but lacked the finishing touches up forward.
Trailing by 19 points at halftime, the Ellinbank and District boys started the third term with a bang.
A free kick resulted in the ball finding slippery forward Kael Bergles, who goaled after two minutes, before the home side’s sustained pressure was broken by a strong mark and goal to Waubra spearhead Lee Brown.
It was momentum-stoppers like this that allowed Central Highlands to keep a grip on the contest and maintain the lead throughout the afternoon.
Simon Quinlan gave away a dubious 50m penalty, which resulted in a goal to opposition captain Shane Brewster, and when Bergles kicked his second of the term on the run, the margin was back to a goal.
But a crucial free kick to Eltringham shortly before the siren gave Central Highlands a vital 12-point buffer heading into the final term.
Goals were always going to be at a premium in the last quarter as the rain pelted down, and when Brendan Kimber kicked long and straight, the lead was back to six points.
Central Highlands then wrested control of the contest. After a string of behinds, skipper Adam Sewell emerged from a pack to goal and give his team a match-winning break with about 10 minutes to play.
It was the efforts of Sewell, who was a warrior all day in the midfield alongside VCFL medallist Tristan May, that helped stave off a determined charge from Ellinbank.
Sewell had a stack of the ball and showed his resolve with a team-high 13 tackles; Quinlan was next best with eight.
In defence, Ash Whelan, Damian Day and Mark Gunnell led a division under constant siege, while in attack, Eltringham’s four goals were telling in the heavy conditions.
Louis Franc was important with clearances out of the backline; Nathan Pring and Ash Munari did some good things; and No.1 ruckman Sam Roache enjoyed a good battle with rival Ben Dwyer.
Central Highlands coach Shane Skontra said it was a gutsy team effort from his charges.
“I was really chuffed at the effort from the players. They really wanted to win that game of footy and did everything in their powers to do it.
“Given the conditions, it was a real battle and I reckon the boys were as committed as I’ve seen.
“It was a finals-like commitment.”
– Ballarat Courier
