IT WAS a case of so close yet so far for Ararat Eagles in Mininera and District Football League action on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Eagles were chasing their first win for 2016, against Caramut.
The first quarter was a tight tussle, with both teams booting three goals.
The Eagles dominated the second quarter to open up a 13-point lead by half-time.
But Caramut came back strong in the third quarter to reduce the margin to five at the final change.
The Eagles tried to hold on, but the fairytale was not to be, with Caramut storming home to win by four points.
In other matches, Great Western also had a day to forget, losing to Hawksdale-Macathur by 180 points.
In other matches, Penshurst was too good for SMW Rovers, Wickliffe-Lake Bolac suffered its first loss of the season, going down to Glenthompson-Dunkeld, while Moyston-Willaura comfortably beat Woorndoo-Mortlake.
Tatyoon got over the line against Lismore-Derrinallum in a grand final rematch.
Lismore-Derrinallum was dominant in the first quarter, but Tatyoon answered in the second term.
The game ebbed and flowed again in the second half with Lismore-Derrinallum again opening up a lead.
With a strong wind to come home with in the final quarter, Taytoon was full of spirit.
The side kicked five unanswered goals to run out winners by 18 points.
Josh Fraser was the best of the goal-kickers with seven for Tatyoon.