A country club in central Victoria ended its seven-year drought against a rival, ending its unbeaten start to the season, in a stunning upset.
For the first time in years Kangaroo Flat has found its bounce which might lead them back to the top in Bendigo.
The Kangaroos produced the shock of the competition this season, beating the previously undefeated Eaglehawk by three points at Dower Park.
The Flat overcame a third term deficit to overrun the Hawks for their third win of the season, 11.8 (74) to 10.11 (71), and first over Eaglehawk in seven years.
Eaglehawk, without former St Kilda captain Jarryn Geary and his brother Kallen, conceded five last-quarter majors as the Kangaroos bounced home.
“We’ve been building,” Kangaroo Flat president Leigh Bailey said.
“This year we’ve got not only a blend of our younger guys coming through we’ve recruited some seasoned players to give us that strength and stability in the team.
“What it has enabled us to do is take the focus off the young kids who have been playing really key roles and freed them a little bit.”
Bailey said the younger players freedom was illustrated with Ryan Savy impressing on debut.
Savy kicked two goals, including the match-winner late in the final term, to give the Flat their first win over Eaglehawk since 2016.
The president said the team now has belief it can match it with anyone in the competition.
Kangaroo Flat has not made the finals since 2009 with the team sitting at three wins and three losses after Round 6.
It was also competitive against the only unbeaten team left in the competition, Sandhurst, in Round 1.
The next few weeks will put their finals chances to the ultimate test with matches against Strathfieldsaye, Kyneton, Golden Square, Sandhurst and South Bendigo.
Bailey said Saturday’s effort could put them in with a chance of further upsets but stopped short of saying the team was finals bound.
“Ultimately if we play the brand we play on Saturday, we’ll push these teams,” Bailey said.
“Going forward it still will be a tough journey but it gives you belief in yourself.
“I don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves.
“The ultimate goals is to become competitive, take it to these teams and run the games out.
“We do that and then the results will potentially start coming.”
Originally published as Kangaroo Flat beats Eaglehawk to end its unbeaten Bendigo league run
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