GLENTHOMPSON-DUNKELD has grabbed a vital victory at home against Penshurst in round 15 of the Mininera and District Football League to secure fifth place on the premiership ladder with only one round remaining of the home and away season.

The Rams had to do it the hard way with a come from behind performance that thrilled the home ground spectators with the Bombers holding a three-goal lead at the long break and seemingly on track for a vital away win.

The visitors were playing very good football in the first two quarters as Jacob Mibus provided a much-needed focal point up front with four majors to his name at the end of the first half.

Will Collins was moved onto Mibus at the start of the third term and Collins nullified his impact as the full-forward added only another brace of goals to his tally for the remainder of the game.

The Rams changed their style of play after the long break and made the midfield of their visitors work much harder to get quality ball for the forwards and with the increased pressure from the home side, more turnover ball eventuated.

Glenthompson-Dunkeld turned the game around with seven third term majors to only two in reply to grab an 11-point lead at the last change of ends as the Rams found multiple avenues to goal.

The final stanza saw the game become a real arm-wrestle as a total seven goals were recorded by the two teams with the home side managing to post four of those to finish with a 17-point victory.

Kieran Neeson, Mibus, Oscar Linke, Sam Hassell, Angus Brown and Jack Kruger were the best afield for the visitors but the Rams looked to Tyler Fehsler for the go forward through the ruck and he was named best on ground as Josh Crook, Matt Lowe, Andrew Lowe, Tyler Staude and Will Collins all stood tall for the home side.

“Penshurst had a three-goal lead at halftime and were playing really well with their delivery into the forward 50 being a highlight,” Glenthompson-Dunkeld coach, Simon Hatherell said.

“After halftime we were able to cut that supply with good midfield pressure and then scored from that pressure.

“Our message after the game was to enjoy the win as it was such a close, intense game and so much energy went into it from the players.”

“In the big picture though, like it has been for the last month, we just have to keep winning to ensure we make the finals.”

The Rams now have a two-point gap on the Bombers on the ladder, and with both teams expected to win their final home and away matches of the season next week it’s going to need a huge upset to knock the Rams out of the finals.

Other games

CARAMUT hosted SMW Rovers in its final home game of the season looking to record a much-needed victory but it wasn’t to be for the Swans as the Bulldogs took the points, 17.19 (121) to 10.3 (63).

The visitors turned up to play on Saturday as they won every quarter although their kicking for goal left much to be desired, they slotted 19 behinds which should have been only nine which would have been a faired indication of the difference between the teams on the day.

HAWKESDALE-MACARTHUR had a day to forget in its final home game of the season against Woorndoo-Mortlake as the visitors simply blew the home side away, 20.17 (137) to 0.2 (2).

Two scoreless quarters and not a single goal for the match showcases the complete dominance of the visitors over the Eagles on the day as Jordan Buckley slotted home nine goals in great display.

ARARAT hosted Lismore-Derrinallum and the undefeated Eagles held sway after its visitors kept pace with the ladder leader for the first quarter but in the end the home side ran away with the match, 18.14 (122) to 8.6 (54).

The Eagles burst clear of the Demons with a six-goal to nil second term that took the wind from the sails of the visitors and from there the home side just pulled further and further ahead.

GREAT WESTERN recorded its third victory of a lean season as it accounted for bottom placed Moyston-Willaura, 16.8 (104) to 10.12 (72).

TATYOON was tested by Wickliffe-Lake Bolac at Lake Bolac for the first half but upon resumption after the long break the visiting side was far too professional as it overpowered its opposition, 17.13 (115) to 4.5 (29).