MOYSTON/Willaura has crashed out of the Mininera and District Football League finals race after it suffered a 39-point loss to Glenthompson/Dunkeld at Derrinallum on Sunday.
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Injuries to key players that left the Pumas with no-one left on the bench for the final term plus a determined Rams outfit, contributed to the loss.
Although Pumas coach Jacob Hamilton was disappointed with the eventual 16.12 (108) to 10.9 (69) scoreline, he praised his side for its determination.
“We had a really good first quarter, our preparation was right and our mindset was on. We couldn’t have started or prepared any better but from the second quarter, it just went downhill from there,” Hamilton said.
The Pumas did get off to a fast start against Glenthompson/Dunkeld, taking a 27-point lead at quarter time. However, the margin was whittled down to 10 points at the main break.
Signs weren’t good for the Pumas in the second term when forward Lachie Hamilton limped off in the hands of trainers with a severely sprained ankle. Josh Pianta was then concussed, Sam Seres received a yellow card and Luke Thomas suffered a hamstring injury.
This left Moyston/Willaura with 17 players on the field for the majority of the second half.
“We still had two to three guys running at 60 per cent on the field. In saying that, Glenthompson/Dunkeld pushed us from the second quarters onwards and we just fell apart,” Hamilton said.
While the football gods weren’t smiling on the Pumas, Hamilton stood by his players and the selection decisions that were made last week.
“We couldn’t have gone in with a better side. The boys really fought hard and with the injuries, it just didn’t go our way which was very disappointing.”
Pumas defenders Rhys Cronin and Aaron Pianta missed Sunday’s sudden death clash, and this put pressure on the remaining back six. Moyston/Willaura trailed by 16 points at the final change and despite Hamilton’s best efforts, his side could not overcome the Rams.
“I tried to get them all revved up at three quarter time. but there’s only so much you can do. The boys tried hard to the very end.”
Lismore/Derrinallum is through to this weekend’s semi final following a 37-point win over Penshurst.