LAHARUM has muscled its way into a finals spot, led by coach Robbie Miller who returned to the field despite having broken his right leg twice this season.
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A month ago, Laharum looked well and truly out of the race for finals. An inspired third quarter performance against Edenhope-Apsley on Saturday has helped lift them above Natimuk United and into sixth spot with two rounds left to play.
The Saints hit the lead early at Edenhope and led by 15 points at half-time. Laharum lost Cooper Henson in the first quarter due to concussion.
With Laharum’s season on the line, Miller helped lead his side during a dominant third quarter. The Mountain Men piled on six goals and kept the Saints scoreless to set up the win.
Miller, who broke his leg in round one against Kalkee and then again against the Swifts in round 10, made a surprise comeback and was named as the fourth best on ground for his side.
Laharum braced a Saints fight back in the last term to hold on for a seven-point win and its first top-six scalp for the season.
Miller said the win meant a lot for the whole club.
“It was a great feeling after the game with all the supporters there,” he said.
I told the boys at three quarter time that it isn’t just about us wearing the jumpers. We had a huge support base there and it showed how much it meant to the whole club.
- Robbie Miller
“I told the boys at three quarter time that it isn’t just about us wearing the jumpers. We had a huge support base there and it showed how much it meant to the whole club.”
Miller said his right leg felt good in the comeback game.
“I knew it was going to be a risk but I got through the game fine and I think I contributed well in the forward line and then pushing up the ground,” he said.
“The first quarter was a let down. We won the toss and went with the wind but didn’t play the type of football we wanted to. We knew if we could use the ball well in the third quarter we could start scoring.
“They scored three at the start of the last quarter and we just kept to our structures. We tried to control the play and our backs played really solid. It was a good all round effort and the guys showed a lot of heart.”
Saints coach Chris Oliver said his side was complacent after half-time.
“I was really happy with the boys for three quarters on the day, it was just the third quarter performance that killed us,” he said.
“We have to give them credit for that third quarter. A loss at this time of the year isn’t always the worst thing.”