Werribee Districts pulled a rabbit out of a hat to come away with the win against Point Cook in the Western Football League division 1 on Saturday.
Last season’s grand final rematch was a battle between first and last on Saturday, but it meant little on the scoreboard.
For most of the game, it appeared to be that Point Cook would inflict the Tigers second loss in as many weeks.
They led by three points at quarter time and then 17 points at half time. The margin was 20 points at the final break with the Tigers having kicked just two goals.
Even at five minutes to go, it still seemed the Bulldogs were destined for a win.
Two goals in a couple of minutes got the score back within a kick. It would come down to a kick after the siren.
Sean Gregory, who is more used to stopping goals than kicking them, kicked truly to give the Tigers a 6.17 (53)-7.5 (47) win.
Tigers coach Chris Gilham said they got out of jail.
“We’ve had a couple of kicks after the siren for draws go against us, so it was nice to be on the other end,” he said.
“Sean Gregory is normally a defender but we threw him forward. He took a mark in the goal square.
“It was basically an unmissable shot. It was a great escape for sure.”
Gilham said they didn’t play great football for most of the day. He gave credit to Point Cook, which had a game plan that tested them.
He said they just threw some magnets around and took some risks to get back into the game.
“It was a lot of chip mark uncontested game style,” he said. “We had kicked 2.17 at one stage and we couldn’t tick it over at one stage.
We then kicked three goals in three minus. We were a couple of seconds away from losing.”
It was all single goal kickers for the Tigers, while Nick Buykx kicked two goals for the Bulldogs.
Harrison White and Jack Fletcher were named the Tigers best.
For the Tigers the win is a highlight in a tough month that has been filled with a lot of unavailability.
After losing just one game last season, this season they’ve had a loss and two draws in recent weeks.
“It’s so even from first to last,” he said. “It’s an even year and we have to get better. We’ve been off the last few weeks that is for sure.
“It’s a reminder to everyone and our boys you don’t play well you get beat. We have a few weeks to get better before finals.”
The Tigers remain on top of the ladder, two points clear of Caroline Springs.
This Saturday they face Parkside.
Gilham said they would have to be at their best to beat them.
In other matches, Hoppers Crossing proved no match for Altona.
The Vikings won 14.17 (101)-9.8 (62).
Point Cook Centrals also had a tough day, losing to Parkside, 13.12 (90)-4.6 (30).
In division 2, Wyndhamvale got the points against the Suns, while Tarneit lost to Sunshine Heights.
