Football
2 September, 2024
Tigers win thriller in overtime to claim first finals win since 2010
Nhill overcame a late comeback from the Horsham Demons to register a thrilling seven-point win following overtime in their elimination final at Central Park on Sunday.
Kicking with the wind in the first quarter, the Tigers stunned the Demons early, kicking five goals to zero to lead by 36 points at quarter-time despite losing Pat Purcell to injury in the opening seconds of the game.
In that quarter, they also kicked eight behinds, with 50% being gettable goals.
The Demons used the wind in the second quarter to register four goals, but the Tigers withstood them and kicked one themselves to take a 19-point lead into half-time.
Early in the third quarter, Nhill lost Papua New Guinean star Glen Saniong to a hamstring injury, and the Demons came out firing, kicking three goals to two to narrow the margin to 13 points at three-quarter-time.
The last quarter was tight, with the Demons fighting back to get within a point. In the final forty seconds, Jordan Motton kicked the ball through the goals, but Jake McQueen got a finger to it, leveling the scores. Not long after, the siren blew to send the game into overtime.
The Demons got the first goal in overtime through Jordon Motton, but Deek Roberts, against his old team, responded with a great goal, and Nhill took a one-point lead into the second period of overtime.
Both teams had their chances, but the score remained that margin until the end, where Matt Kennedy laid a tremendous defensive tackle to have a shot at goal.
The siren went, and he kicked truly to give Nhill an 11.14.80 to 11.7.73 win.
Dylan Ridding, Deek Roberts, and Drew Schneider all kicked three goals for the Tigers. Ruckman Daniel Batson and defenders Darcy Honeyman and Liam Albrecht were also sensational, with midfielder Jarryd Dahlenburg and forward Petros Politis among the best.
Ryan Kemp kicked three goals for the Demons, with Tyler Blake, Sam Janetzki, Brody Pope, Ben Lakin, and Billy Carberry among their best.
Nhill coach Jake McQueen said it felt amazing.
"It was a tough game, and to win in a tight game that went into overtime was huge. We are thrilled, and it's just an amazing feeling," McQueen said.
"We had our chances to put the game away early, but to start the way we did was brilliant as we haven't begun that fast all year.
"I was super happy with our second quarter against the wind, and we were able to create stoppage after stoppage, which made it difficult for Horsham to get back into the game."
"I have to give massive credit to Horsham because they brought the pressure and lifted it a notch in the third. They are well coached, and the pressure they brought was immense."
McQueen credited Deek Roberts as one of the keys to victory, with his finals experience proving invaluable.
"After they got the lead in overtime, Deek Roberts was the man to get us back in the game with that crucial goal, and was the difference between us winning and losing," McQueen said.
"It was fitting he played well against his old club. He has played a lot of finals footy, and his knowledge and experience have been immense.
"Big players always stand out in big games, and he did that well."
Nhill has won a couple of thrillers this season, which McQueen said gives them confidence.
"We love these nail-biting games, but my heart doesn't," McQueen said.
"Having the likes of Deek Roberts and Daniel Batson there, you can tell the experienced heads stood up, which helped as it flows on for the younger players. They all love having the older guys around, and it was a gusty, mature win, that's for sure."
McQueen also credited the defence.
"All of them were tremendous. They were under a lot of heat in that last quarter, and the likes of Darcy Honeyman and Liam Albrecht are generals down back and steered the ship in the right direction.
"Jarryd Dahlenburg stepped up in the midfield, especially after losing Lucas to injury a few weeks back. He took the bull by the horns and was instrumental."
The Tigers now face Stawell in a semi-final at Coughlin Park next Sunday, and McQueen is looking forward to it.
"It is going to be a good midfield battle, and they got us last time there, so we need to think of a couple of things to mitigate their mids, and hopefully we can get a few more clearances," McQueen said.
"Having Daniel Batson in the ruck is a good thing, and the battle between him and Josh Fowkes will be exciting and is one of the critical battles next weekend.
"We look forward to going out there and giving it all we have."