GORDON recorded its second cliffhanger win in as many weeks but may have left its finals run too late in Central Highlands Football League.
The Hawks beat Rokewood-Corindhap 10.11 (71) to 10.6 (66) at the weekend to improve to six wins and eight losses for the season.
But with three rounds remaining, the Hawks will need a mathematical miracle to catch eighth-placed Beaufort (8-1-5).
The Grasshoppers seemed to have done enough to win when Tom Mullane-Grant kicked his fifth goal, but a long bomb in the dying seconds from Eagle big man Mark Gunnell provided Gordon with its fourth win on end.
Gordon coach Rob Fuller was pleased with how his side fought out the game. “They just never say die; the boys just fought hard and ground out the game well,” he said.
Adam Turley gave Gordon the perfect start on his return from injury, kicking the opening goal in the first minute.
Gordon was displaying clean, crisp football as it kicked out to a five-goal lead early in the second quarter.
From then on it was all the Grasshoppers, with five consecutive goals to trail Gordon by just one point at the main break.
Gordon’s Tye Murphy was taken to hospital when a head clash with Rokewood-Corindhap’s Heath Anderson forced him off the field with blood streaming from his mouth.
The second half was a slog as conditions worsened, making it impossible for either team to produce free-flowing football.
That suited Gordon’s small players: Mick Nolan was again fantastic around the packs, while Tim Werner, in only his second game back from injury, slotted four majors.
At the weekend, division rival Ballan won for only the fourth time this season, beating Clunes 8.5 (53) to 4.7 (31).
The Blues broke the game open with three second-quarter goals to lead by 16 at half-time.
Zach Peoples kicked three goals for Ballan, while better players were Zeb Morcombe and Daniel and Ashley Mullane.
– Simon Curtain, Ballarat Courier
