In round 12 Kyabram District League football, undefeated side Murchison-Toolamba hosted third-placed Shepparton East on Saturday afternoon.
While never completely in control of the match, Murchison-Toolamba was arguably the better side throughout the first three quarters.
A scoreless second term from Shepparton East meant the Grasshoppers took a 17-point lead into the final change with the wind in their favour.
However, the Eagles would not die wondering as they took the game on in the fourth quarter, closing the margin to six points with a few minutes left.
With Shepparton East trailing 60-54, it managed to scrape through a goal and tie the scores.
The Grasshoppers were unable to make the most of their control of the play inside their forward 50 in the dying stages and, eventually, the siren sounded, with the scores tied 9.6 (60) to 9.6 (60).
Murchison-Toolamba’s star forward James Lloyd provided the highlight of the match when he kicked his third goal of the game and, more importantly, his 100th of the season in his 12th match this year.
Grasshoppers coach Brett Foley said Lloyd’s 100th goal of the season was a special moment for the player and the club.
“It was at the far end and the young fourths kids ran onto the ground and jumped on (Lloyd) — that was in the second quarter, I think,” Foley said.
“It was quite special as the club hasn’t had a 100-goal kicker for a while and, by season’s end, he should have a fair tally, too.
“The boys and the club are proud of him; it is a massive effort to kick 100 goals in a season, and so early in the season, it is a big effort by the big fella.
“He is pretty happy about it.”
In relative control of the match at three-quarter time, Foley said his side lost some of its run and dare in the final term.
“They had the wind in the first quarter and we were in front and then we were three goals up at half-time and then three goals up at three-quarter time, with the wind in the last,” he said.
“Shepp East just took the game on more than we did and as the good side that they are, they took it up to us, and we went into our shells a little bit.
“I thought their midfield probably won the battle for the day and that probably kept them in the game.”
In round five, Murchison-Toolamba drew with its other premiership rival, Lancaster.
Foley said he hoped his players could use what they have learned from these two draws when the Grasshoppers play the Wombats or the Eagles next in the finals.
“Two draws against the teams that are first and third on the ladder,” he said.
“It gives us a reference point, but we don’t play them again, either side, going into the finals.
“It will be interesting when we meet them in finals at some stage.”
In other round 12 games, Tallygaroopna has seen off a defiant Longwood side.
In the battle of the Redlegs, Longwood trailed by 15 points at three-quarter time before Tallygaroopna hit its groove and motored away to a 39-point win.
Dookie United has claimed a 47-point victory over Violet Town, with United forward Kyle Tapscott booting seven goals in a commanding display.
Stanhope has beaten Merrigum by 36 points away from home, while Avenel also won away from home, with the Swans defeating Girgarre by 55 points.
On Sunday, Nagambie dominated Rushworth, winning the match by 90 points.
Meanwhile, Lancaster defeated Undera by 234 points, with Wombats forward Zac Cerrone booting 14 goals for the match.
