Corowa Rutherglen thirds footballers will fly the flag for the football netball club this Sunday at Lavington in the 2022 grand final against the Wangaratta Magpies.
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Minds go back to the year 2000 when the young Roos last played in a grand final. It was against Wangaratta Magpies which resulted in a 13 point victory to the Roos.
Corowa Rutherglen goes into this Sunday’s grand final having beaten Albury Tigers last Sunday at North Albury by the barest of margins 8.11.59 to the Tigers 8.10.58.
An excellent second half of football resulted in the Roos overcoming a half-time deficit of eight points to pile on seven goals to Albury’s five.
Corowa Rutherglen Under 18 footballers Jedd Longmire (left) and Taj Smith (right) run flat out for the footy, with Ethan Hanrahan in the background moving forward in anticipation, in their match against Albury Tigers last Sunday.
“It was a pretty tight contest – we kicked poorly, 1.7 to half time,” coach George Sandral told The Free Press. “It was a little windy and conditions were challenging. Albury probably kicked a little better than us up to half-time.
“After half-time we cleaned up our skills. There were no major changes to positions – we just tidied up around the ground in the third quarter.”
But the move by the coach involving Justin Lewis was effective. “Justin went forward and kicked an important goal,” Sandral said.
At three quarter time, the Roos were up by two points, 4.9 to 4.7 and extended the lead after booting a goal. But the Tigers hit back, scoring two goals and resuming the lead, soon by some 10 points
“We thought the game was finished – the time on the scoreboard looked as though there were 30 seconds left,” Sandral said, “but we had four-and-a-half-minutes left. Matthew Bush kicked two goals and we won!”
Celebrations on the sidelines following the thirds emphatic win over the Tigers last Sunday.
Whoever lost was unfortunate according to the 21-year-old first-time university student Roos coach who said: “Albury would be shattered. They’ve been a very good side.”
Best players for the victors were Ethan Hanrahan, Matthew with three goals, Justin Lewis and Riley Allan midfield tagging but the coach emphasised the overall performance.
“I was pleased with all our players,” Sandral said. “It was a team effort. They gave their all and that’s what will be required to go all the way this season on Sunday.
“The boys are super excited. We just have to get our processes right and we’ll see what happens.”
Match time start this Sunday at Lavington is earlier, at 9.00am. Go Roos!
Thirds – Navarra Cup – 18/9/22
Corowa-Rutherglen: 1.4 1.7 4.9 8.11.50
Albury: 2.1 3.3 4.7 8.10.58
Goals: Corowa Rutherglen M.Bush 3, J Lewis 2, J Kuschert 1, R Beveridge 1, J Longmire 1. Albury: C Clemson 5, P Gothard 1, R Parnell 1, T Ferguson 1.
Best: Corowa Rutherglen: E Hanrahan, M Bush, J Lewis, R Allan, T Forrest, J Longmire. Albury: C Clemson, F Bennett, D Hayes, Z Packer, J Hodgson, M Diffey.
Thirds coach George Sandral (pictured) and his team are looking forward to this Sunday’s grand final.
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