NATIMUK United managed to grind out a win but it wasn’t without a challenge from Rupanyup in round 12 of the Horsham District league on Saturday.
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The final scoreboard read Natimuk United 16.9 (105) to Rupanyup 15.7 (97).
There was a dampener on the win for the Rams with playing-coach Sam Anson going down with a knee injury early in the fourth quarter.
Anson said his team didn’t play their best football.
“They definitely kept at us. We were lucky to get the win,” he said.
The last time the two sides met, the Rams won by more than 10 goals.
“In that game, we kicked four quick goals in the fourth quarter so it looked like a bigger win than it was,” Anson said. “I thought it was going to be tight with their result on Edenhope-Apsley’s home deck – and it was. It is always good to grind out a win like that.”
It was a strong start from the Rams, managing to kick 5.2 to the Panthers’ two majors. The Panthers won the second quarter, kicking six straight goals to the Rams’ 3.3.
Anson said his side needed to play four quarters of football.
“Our brand is a brand that matches with the best, but we just need to maintain it for four quarters,” he said.
Our brand is a brand that matches with the best, but we just need to maintain it for four quarters.
- Sam Anson
“Our second and fourth quarters were bad.
“The third quarter was the best. After halftime we came out and kicked six goals to two. That put us in a good spot going into the final quarter.”
After going down with injury, Anson was moved into the change rooms.
“I couldn’t see the game, I could only hear it. It was nerve racking,” he said.
“I was told it was a real fight for the last 10 minutes, which has happened quite often this season.”
Jono Lovel had a strong game when he came up against Panthers assistant coach Zack May in the ruck.
“He played well in there and Callum Cameron did well,” Anson said. “But across the board, everyone played their role. We didn’t have any bad players.”
Rams small forward Nathan Koenig had his hands on the ball a lot and managed an important four goals for the winning side, kicking accurately when he was given the opportunity.
Anson commended Panther Hugh McMurtrie.
“He was by far their best player on the day. He played well. May seemed agile for a bigger body in the ruck as well,” he said.
Anson was named best for the Rams while McMurtrie was best for the Panthers.