Rushworth travelled to Nagambie and stuck it to the Lakers in the contest, punching above its weight against the third-placed side in the Kyabram District League.
The Tigers fell behind early but remained in striking distance throughout the first quarter, restricting Nagambie to three goals while kicking one of their own, the deficit nine points at the first break.
The Lakers put some distance between themselves and Rushworth in the second period, drilling 3.3 with the Tigers kicking 1.3 in reply.
Rushworth turned its fortune around following the major break, putting in a surplus of attacking effort to roar back in the contest, kicking four goals in the third term.
Meanwhile, Nagambie faltered, managing just 1.2 for the quarter and entering the final stanza with a two-point advantage.
The Tigers couldn’t carry their momentum into the fourth quarter, kicking just 1.4.
The Lakers’ third quarter slump was an outlier, as they steadied themselves with a tidy 3.2 to take the game by 11 points.
The final score was Rushworth 7.16 (58) to Nagambie 10.9 (69).
The ability to stand up in the big moments still eludes the Tigers, but their grit and effort has to be acknowledged, coming close to snatching the game out of the Lakers’ hands.
It was a collective effort by Rushworth, which had eight different players kick a goal, while Will Dalton (four goals) shone as Nagambie’s spearhead.
Ethan Arnold, Jackson McRae, Ryan Beale, Shaun Young, Luke Oakley and Nico McKinley found themselves among the Tigers’ best for the match.
A home date with fellow winless side Undera in round four will give Rushworth the perfect opportunity to get its first four points of the season.
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