Tara Murray
Having thought it had blown its chance, Rupertswood kicked a goal after the siren to claim victory against Roxburgh Park in the Essendon District Football League division 1 on Saturday.
The Sharks did everything right for three and half quarters and had led for the majority of the day when the Magpies hit the front.
With the ball in their half, the Magpies had locked it in. They scored a point which gave the Sharks one last opportunity.
The ball went down the other end, with the Sharks getting an opportunity through James Fox to win after the siren.
He was able to kick truly, with the Sharks winning 14.9 (93)-13.11 (89).
Sharks coach Brad Fox was not only a proud man, a relieved one.
“I was happy for them,” he said. “It was a growth experience in the tough game.
“Most of the players will never experience games like that.”
Fox said going into the game they had a bit of confidence having been in front in all the statistics that he looks at.
Not much separated the two teams all day and the Magpies managed to hit the front with three-four minutes to go.
Fox admits he had felt like the Magpies had stolen it from them.
“They had a big fundraising day around women’s breast cancer and the ball got stuck in front of them,” he said.
“We could not get it out of there and every mistake of 50-50 ball, the crowd was vocal and it felt like they were out there.
“It ticked over 32 minutes and they missed a shot on goal and we got it out of defence and moved it the way we had in pre-season.”
For the coach, he was not only watching his team go for a shot after the siren, but also his son.
“I would rather no one else have the ball,” he said. “I was relieved when he kicked it though.
“We live on over an acre and had goal posts in the backyard.
“He would have kicked for goal after the siren out there 100s of times.”
Clayton Bonello was the star for the Sharks kicking seven goals in a best on ground performance.
Ehtan Fitzpatrick and Mitchell Johnson also had strong performances.
Fox said he wasn’t surprised by Bonello’s performance after he was left disappointed by his performance the week before.
The win was the Sharks second of the season.
Fox said the performance was massive in the context of their season.
“We are in the middle of a five week period where we face four of the stronger sides and Roxburgh Park,” he said.
“The win against Roxy is super crucial in the overall season. The last quarter was like a grand final and for a young side you have to learn how to play in finals before playing in finals.
