LIAM Antonio’s coming-of-age performance couldn’t have arrived at a better time for Russells Creek.
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The teenage forward slotted seven majors, combining with midfielders Andy McMeel and Aaron McInnes to condemn Allansford to a heart breaking three-point defeat on Saturday.
Antonio ran riot in the opening half, forcing Allansford coaches Ben Holloway and Brett Membrey to throw swingman Ash McLachlan into defence.
But his influence couldn’t be curtailed as Creek collected a morale-boosting 12.11 (83) to 12.8 (80) triumph to leave Allansford at the foot of the Warrnambool and District Football Netball League.
Creek coach Heath Moloney said his team was dangerous when it was “on its game” but lamented sloppy passages of play.
He said his coaching panel experienced several nervous moments in the dying seconds of the clash.
“I don’t think the ball went into our forward half all that much in the last quarter. Our backs did well to stop Allansford from scoring more,” Moloney said.
When we play our footy – a possession game, which lets us hit leads – we can match it with anybody.
- Heath Moloney
“When we play our footy – a possession game, which lets us hit leads – we can match it with anybody.
“We just have to make sure our running game is going and that we’re not sloppy with what we’re doing.”
Moloney said a sprained knee to young utility Billy McPhee was the only Russells Creek injury,
Allansford co-coach Ben Holloway was frustrated with having to play “catch-up footy” after the Cats conceded six goals in the opening term.
“We’re frustrated. You can’t give a side a six-goal start because you’re just chasing tail for the rest of the afternoon,” he said.
“We’re playing well for two or three quarters but we’re just struggling to find the answer at the moment.
“Whether it’s me struggling to motivate the guys well enough, or whatever, we just don’t have the answer right now.”
Holloway said the Cats had chances to snatch the triumph but implored his men to stay motivated.
“We pegged them back after their six-goal start, with a kick in the last few seconds but we missed,” he said.
“There was no pressure on the ball carrier and we have to find a way to eradicate those lapses.
“We’ll keep working on it, and we won’t drop our heads. We’ll keep chipping away.”
The Cats are anchored to the bottom of the ladder heading into their mid-season bye.
Russells Creek, meanwhile, has the chance to climb above East Warrnambool when it hosts Panmure at Mack Oval next Saturday.