Euroa 18.13 (121) d Rochester 16.8 (104)
The 1990 Goulburn Valley League grand final will go down as the most remarkable.
With just 14 fully fit players after half time (Ross Andrews: 15 stitches, David Putamorsie: dislocated shoulder, Darryl O’Neil: torn ligaments, Martin Kick: bruised coccyx bone, Adam Edwards: broken arm and Brendan Flanagan: eight stitches), Rochester almost pulled off a remarkable victory.
A third-quarter surge from Euroa, spearheaded by Paul O’Bree who finished the day with six goals, powered the Magpies to victory.
The game was marred by the injury to Andrews, who was struck behind the play by Euroa’s Dean Lupson. Magpies coach Kevin Storer was also reported.
“This year the players put in a really hard year on and off the track,” Rochester coach Nigel Van Der Veer said at a post-match function.
“The blokes responded and I believed this was it, we would win.
“I don't make excuses and don't accept losing, but I give praise when it's deserved and I was proud of the efforts of every player in the senior side today.
“Not only are they great guys, they lost on the scoreboard, but these blokes are better men and better players for it.”
It ended up being a tough day for Rochester, which also lost the reserves grand final and A and B grade finals in netball.
There was a record-breaking gate of $27,311.
More Best Battles
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Round three | Rochester and LBU
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