THE Hamilton Kangaroos fell just six points short from pulling off a huge upset against Koroit away from home in round eight of the Hampden Football Netball League (HFNL) senior football.

It was a heartbreaking loss for the ninth placed Kangaroos who held an eight-point lead going into the final quarter but couldn’t manage to hold on as they were overrun late to lose 10.12 (72) to 10.6 (66).

Coming off a disappointing 37-point loss against Port Fairy, the task didn’t get any easier for the Kangaroos taking on a formidable Koroit Saints side away from home.

However, Hamilton started well kicking three straight goals in the first quarter to make the most of their forward entries, while chances went begging for the Saints who kicked an inaccurate 1.5.

Koroit managed to find the middle of the big sticks in the second quarter kicking three goals to take a narrow three-point lead into the main break.

The premiership quarter was an important one for the blue and white as they fought hard to increase pressure around the stoppage and set themselves up with a 12-point lead at the final break.

However, the home side was too strong late in the game winning the arm wrestle in the fourth term and handing the Roos an agonising loss.

Kangaroos’ coach, Brad Thomas said the narrow loss was “disappointing” but was proud of the effort and fight displayed by the side.

“The boys are pretty disappointed … I felt like we were in control of the match and had it on our terms for most of the day,” he told The Spectator.

“There was a bit of a patch late in the last quarter where they got a couple goals in five minutes, but it was good to see where our systems are at compared to theirs.”

Hamilton won the inside-50 count 41-39 and brought the intensity around the stoppage finishing with just one clearance less than Koroit (46-45) for the whole game. Thomas said it was pleasing to bounce back from a hiccup against Port Fairy last week and really take it up to one of the best sides.

“The work rate, endeavour and connection between the lines was really good … Koroit is a good team and have been for a long time, at the end of the day, it was on their deck and the boys were only one goal away from it,” he said.

“It’s about development this season, we are still trying to develop our systems and some of the areas that we fell away a bit in.”

Hugh Douglas was a shining light for the blue and white as he slotted five goals on the day and almost willed his side to a huge victory.

Having played the past three games in the reserves, he was an important inclusion and nearly the difference as he clunked nine marks inside 50.

Jack English also had a day out in the engine room racking up 27 disposals, six clearances and a game-high 19 tackles.

“It was a bit of reward for effort for Hugh, he’s been fantastic this year bringing experience for the kids … (and) Jack’s work rate was huge,” Thomas said.

“We had some of the kids come up from the Under-18s and they really played their role well, there was no real individual standouts.”

Reserves

The Kangaroos’ reserves side slumped to its seventh loss of the season against Koroit on Saturday trailing by 21 points at the final siren, 8.14 (62) to 6.5 (41).

The margin flattered the blue and white with inaccurate kicking costing the Saints from boosting their percentage even further.

Coming into the clash, both sides had won just a single game this season and Hamilton was determined to get a good start.

However, Koroit had different ideas as they dominated the contest and won the contested ball early to create a handy 19-point lead at the end of the first term.

The home side continued to maintain its lead at each break, before Hamilton challenged them in the fourth, outscoring them 19-15 but it was to no avail.

Hunter Plush, Oscar Linke, Allan Martin and Jordy Anthony were named as the Kangaroos’ best players on the day.

Under-18

The Under-18s made sure there was going to be at least one win on the day as they continued their stellar form to smash Koroit by 95 points.

The percentage-boosting win solidified the team as premiership favourites as they continue their undefeated run, winning 18.11 (119) to 3.6 (24).

Eddie McShane has been kicking bags for fun and added another six to his season tally which now sits at 20 – placing him eight goals clear on top of the league goal kicking.

Charlie Field (five) and Brodie Phillips (three) were the other multiple goal scorers for the Roos.

The game was set up by the blue and white in a first quarter obliteration as they booted 5.0 (30) to no score.

Hugh Fitzgerald, Archie Porter and Will Walter were also named in the best as reward for their impressive individual performances.

The side will now set its sights on defeating third placed Warrnambool this weekend at Reid Oval.