In just his second senior game, Ethan Bate-Charlton conjured a match-winning play for his Wollongong Lions on Saturday.
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With his side trailing Kiama by three points, Bate-Charlton's desperate chasedown tackle led to teammate Sam Hobson booting the winner at North Dalton Park. It was an unselfish play that didn't escape the attention of Lions coach Ray Burgess.
"It was great, it happened right on the wing in front of the grandstand," he said.
"It was only his second game of senior footy and something that he will remember for a long time."
The 11.7 (73) to 10.10 (70) victory was just the Lions' second win of the 2021 Men's Premier Division season after six rounds. Ramez Dagher booted five goals for the winners and Lachlan Konza was their best on ground, while Ben Williams kicked two goals for the Power.
"It was an exciting game of footy from start to finish. Kiama have still got their best players running around and playing good footy, so they're a good side," Burgess said.
"The intensity was great. It's taken us a while to get into it, we've got a new-look side, so it's taken a long time to gel. We're constantly getting challenged as a group and understanding the new players and new faces a bit better. We're probably a different side to where we were a month ago."
Elsewhere, the Kangaroos stamped their authority on the competition by claiming a 9.15 (69) to 8.8 (56) victory over the Bulldogs at Figtree Oval. Kieren Doyle kicked four goals for the Roos, with the result helping Figtree draw level with the Dogs at the top of the ladder.
They are trailed by Shellharbour, who strengthened their hold on third spot by securing a 15.4 (94) to 6.14 (50) win over the Tigers at Myimbarr Oval. The Suns, who wore new Indigenous journeys to celebrate Sir Doug Nicholls Round, booted seven goals to one in the opening quarter to set up the convincing victory.
"I think, across the board, the competition is pretty close," Burgess said.
"The Bulldogs and Figtree are the standout teams, but I think the other four sides are pretty evenly matched, so it was good to sneak away with a victory on Saturday."
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Joshua Bartlett
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
