KIAMA Power coach Bryce O’Connor praised his side’s perseverance after storming home in the fourth quarter to beat fellow AFL South Coast Seniors finals contenders Northern Districts at Bonaira Oval.
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The Power trailed by a point at three-quarter time but booted five goals to two in the fourth term in a hard-fought 11.17 (83) to 9.11 (65) victory.
Kiama’s third straight win lifted them to equal second with premiers Wollongong Bulldogs, who beat Bomaderry by 21 points at Artie Smith Oval.
Josh Krull booted four goals for Kiama and Aaron Boatfield three, with the only sour note for the Power was goal-kicking forward Ricky Neels suffering a suspected broken wrist and the experienced Scott Phillips forced out in the first quarter with a hamstring injury.
Neels fell awkwardly in a tackle just before halftime and had to be taken to hospital with fears his season could be over.
O’Connor was rapt his side never became frustrated despite some inaccurate goal-kicking and the Power trailing at three-quarter time.
‘‘I thought our execution in the final quarter was the difference,’’ O’Connor said.
‘‘We kept persevering and despite a few things not working we kept at it and it paid off in the end.
‘‘We worked hard all day and started to hit targets and put the score on the board when we needed to.
‘‘We’re starting to hit our straps and it’s three win in a row now. We play (Wollongong) Lions second last round which will be tough but if you want to be the best you have to beat the best.’’
Matt Mahony, Jack Mahony, Tom Williams and Ben Griffin were outstanding for the Power who along with the unbeaten Lions are the form sides a month out from the finals.
Despite the loss Norths cling to fourth spot, a win ahead of Bomaderry and Shellharbour, who had the round 14 bye.
In other games, the Bulldogs were not at their best and had three players backing up from a full game in reserve grade, but held out a determined Bomaderry 8.9 (57) to 5.6 (36).
Evan Smith booted three goals for the Bulldogs and Sean Griffin two goals, with Griffin playing eight quarters for the day after a full game in the reserves.
Ben McKay, Tom Potter and James Millman played well for the Dogs who broke a two-game losing streak.
In the other match, the Lions made it 10 straight wins and fourth straight 100 point-plus winning margin in a 19.17 (130) to 2.6 (18) away win over Nowra.
Jake Hogarth booted 8.1 for the Lions with coach Craig Morrison promoting Michael Mellon and Phillip Picken from the reserves.
Three Lions juniors with South Coast Thunder under 19s were also given an opportunity in the senior grade.
South Coast AFL ladder: Wollongong Lions 24, Wollongong Bulldogs 16, Kiama 16, Nth Districts 14, Bomaderry 12, Shellharbour 12, Nowra 10.