It was a win that was 1407 days in the making, as the mighty Redlegs ended their 34-game losing streak with a memorable 15.12 (102) to 10.7 (67) triumph in round three Kyabram District League action.
Leading by 11 points at the last break, Longwood’s drought-breaking win was rubber-stamped thanks to its five-goal-to-one final term.
Longwood’s first-year coach Jordan Formosa said while it was a day to remember for the club, it was just the first step forward on its journey to play finals football.
“It was a really good moment to enjoy with everyone at the club and just to see how much joy it brought those who have done a lot of hard work,” Formosa said.
“It’s nice to get some reward for hard work, we got around each other that night and celebrated, but this is only just the first step forward. We’ve got a lot more to come on this journey.”
Longwood’s last victory prior to the weekend came in round 10, 2019 when the Redlegs defeated Ardmona.
Only three players remained from that win in 2019, captain Reece Dimech, Devin Gordois and Nathan Watson.
“Speaking to those guys after the game a lot of them described it as relief,” Formosa said.
“They had gone through a long patch with not winning any games and hopefully there’s a few more to come.”
Rhys Cason was lively in attack with six majors, while Formosa’s brother Jye enjoyed a strong outing through the midfield.
Kale Frost provided support down back and was a standout with his intercepts.
Cason was a “standout” performer and he gave the Redlegs a different avenue to goal with Formosa’s brother Josh missing from the line-up.
Formosa described the win as a “team performance” and one that he was pleased to see his side stick its structures.
“We started really well, but were a bit inaccurate and we allowed them to get back into the contest,” he said.
“There was a few lead changes and it got real close, but the boys stuck to the structures and game plan and kicked away in the last quarter which was good for everyone to soak up the win.”
Around the grounds, Tallygaroopna prevailed over a fast-finishing Avenel in a tense and narrow contest on the road.
Tally, without many rotations in the final term, held on for a backs-against-the-wall seven-point win as the Swans booted five goals in the last term.
Adam Brophy starred with four majors, along with Kyle Montgomery and playing coach Daniel Clarke.
Lancaster and Murchison-Toolamba bounced back to their winning ways with wins ahead of next weekend’s grand final rematch.
Dookie United chalked up back-to-back wins, while Nagambie handed Merrigum a 167-point thrashing with young guns Will Dalton and Jono Moore booting eight and six goals respectively.
