After-siren miss breaks Magpies’ hearts

Mt Barker have escaped with a vital win, edging out Denmark-Walpole by a single point in the closest finish of the season as Magpie Doug Roberts’ kick after the siren fell short in front of a vocal crowd at McLean Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Bulls trailed by 27 points at one stage in the first league game played on the newly redeveloped McLean Park but with a home final on their minds the visitors lifted to kick the last four goals of the third quarter.

The margin stood at three points in favour of the Magpies to set up an enthralling final quarter, and it delivered.

Three lead changes and a kick after the siren had the healthy crowd on their edge of seats.

The Bulls skipped 15 points ahead early in the last term after two goals from class player Jesse Wynne and one to old-fashioned forward Tyson Sujdovic.

Magpies star Tyler Stone then went to another level, winning clearances and pushing forward as he kicked two goals while prized big man Shayne Zanetti nailed two ripping finishes, one a snap out of the ruck under huge pressure.

Wynne had added a third goal for the quarter in between that sequence of goals but the Magpies were full of emotion as they hit the front, only for Bulls veteran Dionne Woods to snatch it back from them with a brilliant set shot on the boundary with three minutes to play.

There would be one more twist though as Roberts marked over Ryan Ballard 45m out on a tough angle and the siren sounded moments later. Roberts couldn’t get the journey after the final siren, the kick falling short to officially end the Magpies’ faint finals hopes as they suffered a heartbreaking 13.5 (83) to 12.10 (82) defeat.

As a result the Bulls can still finish third and secure a home final, with coach Brad Hook describing the final quarter as “bloody crazy”.

“Their big four or five players were so good,” he said. “We had our best midfielders in there and they were still winning the ball out the middle.

“They had the all the momentum and we just had to sit there and ride it out. What a game but. Either team could have won and it’s a shame there is a loser in that one.”

Wynne was outstanding in the final quarter, his eight disposals, six marks and three goals the difference in the end while Sam Lehmann’s inspired display in the midfield was also key to the win.

Lehmann finished with 27 disposals while Wynne kicked five goals, all of which came after half-time but he constantly found the ball to collect 22 touches and 12 marks.

In a pulsating Graham Hard Memorial Game, Stone was the most influential player on the ground to record 31 possessions, 13 of which came in the all-important last quarter.

Zanetti bagged four goals as he came alight after half time while Jared Lane, Dave MacDonald and Sam Finigan were also among the home side’s best players.

“The third quarter hurt us the most, we put it on the boys not to lapse,” Magpies co-coach Simon Barker said.

“We missed gettable shots (kicking 7.7 in the last half) but that’s football there has to be a loser.

“I’m proud of the boys being a couple of goals down and getting back in front, and it was great to be back at home, the oval played really well.”