In similar fashion to last year, Natimuk United left it right up until the final round of the season to book a spot inside the Horsham District Football League’s top six.
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The Rams went into Saturday’s game against Swifts needing a win to play finals football for the second year in a row, a tough prospect against a side touted as a premiership contender.
The home side got off to a flying start to get their hopes of victory right up, jumping out to a 29-point lea at quarter-time. Jaydon Stiles booted five of his six goals for the game early on with the wind to contribute to the lead.
The Baggies hit back in the second term with the breeze to their advantage but still trailed by 10 points despite having the same amount of scoring shots as Natimuk United.
It was in the third term that the game was blown apart, with the Rams booting six goals with 15 scoring shots to extend the margin to 48 points going into the final term.
The Rams kicked just one goal in the final term but it did not matter as they recorded win number seven for the season to book a spot in the finals.
“The guys just had a crack and played it like it was their last game of the season,” Natimuk United coach Sam Anson said.
it would be foolish to underestimate the Rams and Ewes
- Adam Blake
“Winning the toss and kicking with the breeze in the first quarter was important. We learnt from the second quarter and were able to limit their impact in the last when they had the breeze.”
Swifts coach Scott Carey said his team took too long to adapt to the conditions.
“We couldn’t adapt to the conditions quick enough. There was a nice breeze there and they utilised that better than we could,” he said.
“We just didn’t make the most of our opportunities early which meant the pressure snowballed as the game went on.
“They played a better brand of footy on the day.”
Alex Ridsdale booted two goals to go with his best on ground performance for the Rams.
Anson said it was a true team effort to get the win, with a full strength side showing what it is capable of.
“It was only the second game of the year we had our strongest team available,” he said.
“We came away with no injuries so we will go into the finals with a belief that keeps on growing.”
Andrew Cameron continued his good form playing deeper forward for Swifts with another three majors.
Natimuk United’s senior win capped off a great day all round for the club.
Just one team in the entire club, including football and netball, has missed out on a finals berth.
“From a club perspective it shows a good even spread of performances from all the teams. To be so well represented in finals is amazing,” Natimuk United president Adam Blake said.
Blake said it would have been more than 20 years since the club played finals in two consecutive seasons.
“It is very exciting. We waited 20 years to get there and now we are in two years in a row,” he said.
“We know how tough it is from here and we are under no illusions there is plenty of work still to do.
“Saying that, it would be foolish to underestimate the Rams and Ewes.”
Natimuk United will face Jeparit-Rainbow and Swifts taking on Edenhope-Apsley in next weekend’s elimination finals.
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