MINYIP-MURTOA has found a way to win again – despite not being allowed to play its best football for four quarters against the Warrack Eagles on Saturday.
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The Burras started strongly and overcame an Eagles fight-back to win 9.13 (67) to 7.13 (55).
Minyip-Murtoa coach Damian Cameron said his team continued to face a mindset battle.
“We keep getting ourselves in comfortable positions and then we’ll take our foot off the pedal,” he said.
“We want to be able to stamp our authority on games more at this stage of the season.”
Three goals within the first five minutes of the game for the first-placed Burras allowed it to lead the third-placed Eagles by 17 points at quarter-time.
During the second quarter the home side managed just one goal as the Eagles clicked into gear to establish a one-goal half-time lead.
It was tough for both sides to convert opportunities in the third quarter. Just one goal was kicked between the sides despite each registering six scoring shots.
Cameron said his side continued to show that it would dig deep when the going got tough.
“That’s almost more of a frustrating thing,” he said. “It should not take someone putting pressure on us for us to find that level.”
Sam Winfield took on the responsibility of going head to head with Ryan McKenzie during much of the second half. Cameron said he did well to curb the influence of the Eagles coach as he continued to win his own ball.
“I wouldn’t say it won us the game but it certainly had a big impact,” he said.
After players returned to their positions for the final quarter it was the Burras who got the jump. The side kicked two quick goals and while the Eagles continued to fight out the match, they were ultimately unsuccessful.
“Overall we were pretty happy with the game but it was a disappointing final quarter,” McKenzie said.
“We were playing positive football to get in the contest and were fairly confident at three-quarter time but played too conservatively in the final quarter.
“Nobody was willing to take the game on and risk making a mistake.”
Cameron praised the work of Jordie Delahunty, who played matched up against Josh Bibby.
“To keep the league’s leading goalkicker to just one goal is very impressive,” he said. “It was a big job but he proved he was up to it. They are both very talented young players.”
Daniel Bell was hard at the contest all day to be the Eagles’ best.
“He was a clear standout and played his best game of the season,” McKenzie said.
“He just gives us plenty of run.”
