Kyneton’s incredible finals run has continued with the Tigers knocking Diggers Rest out in straight sets in a special Riddell District Football League finals win on Sunday.
After winning their first final in 27 years with an upset win against Wallan in week one of the finals, the Tigers needed to pull out everything to get the job done in the semi finals.
After winning in extra time, playing-coach Ethan Foreman said this win was even more special than the week before.
“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet,” he said the following morning. “I’m sitting here really sore and battered, but it’s amazing.
“I have played one game with extra time before but to come back from four goals down with six minutes to do, it’s all a dream.
“It’s a special game.”
The Burras, who were disappointing in the first week of the finals, started the better of the two sides at Gilbert Gordon Reserve.
The Burras led by 19 points at quarter time having kicked the only three goals of the first quarter.
It was back to 11 points at half time and then nine points at the final break.
When the Burras kicked the first four goals of the final quarter, the margin was back to 24 points with 14 minutes gone.
While the Burras looked headed to the preliminary final, the Tigers had other ideas.
Foreman said they still had plenty of faith in their group to get the job done.
He said they felt they had the legs to run the game out stronger than the Burras. They had also come from behind against Wallan the week before.
“It looked dire late in the final quarter,” he said. “We know that we can score quickly and we’re never out of games.
“It turned pretty quickly and we went all guns blazing off half back.”
Two quick goals meant the margin was back to 11 points and when they kicked a third in the 27th minute the margin was seven points.
Another Tigers goal reduced the Burras lead to one point.
Foreman said the message from the bench there was 45 seconds left on the clock.
He said he thought they had won the game.
“With 15 seconds left on the clock, there was a kick in a goal square from Angus Nolte and I thought he had won it for us.
“It was called touched.”
With scores level the match headed to overtime, with the scores locked at 86-a piece despite the Tigers having four more scoring shots.
Neither team could kick a goal in the first five minutes of extra time, with the Tigers leading by two points heading into the switch of ends.
It was again tough going in the second half of extra time, with goals hard to come by.
Kyneton would do just enough to come away with a 12.14 (86)-13.8 (86) win and secure the preliminary finals spot.
Harry Ryan kicked six goals for the Tigers in a best on ground performance.
Angus Nolte and Ryan Pretty both kicked two goals each.
Hamish Yunghanns and Frankie Ellis were other standouts for the Tigers.
Ryan Mullen kicked five goals for the Burras and was named their best. Hayden Davis and Austin Cicero were other standouts for the Burras.
It will be the battle between fifth and sixth for the second grand final spot in the preliminary final.
The Tigers will face Macedon on Saturday at Kyneton Showgrounds.
Foreman said while they felt they had exceeded expectations they had shown their best was good enough to beat any team.
He said both preliminary final sides match up well and it would be a good contest.
Foreman said getting to play in front of their home crowd was something that they were really looking forward to.
