Allansford's Sam Doukas and Creek's Jayden Askew. 120414AS55
THERE is something about a momentum shift that can turn everything in the running team's favour.
Just ask Allansford, which came from four goals down at half time to flatten Russells Creek 14.14 (98) to 8.10 (58) on Saturday.
The Cats took almost two quarters to snap into action at Mack Oval, the same venue they defeated the host in a practice match a month ago.
But after a string of goals in the third term, Allansford could do nothing wrong in the warm autumnal conditions.
Optimistic shots at goal sailed through the sticks with accuracy and the Sherrin seemed to bounce in the Cats' favour whenever it was in dispute.
Victorious coach James Byrne told The Standard it was a hard-earned escape.
"We were playing pretty ordinary football for the first quarter and a half," he said.
"We were asleep ... but the boys realised we had to take the game on and make things happen."
Allansford was the first to score w but Creek responded with the following four of the first term, despite losing forwards Damien Osborne (hamstring) and Jayden Askew (groin) early.
The game was quiet and at times disappeared into the far wing of the wide Albert Park ground as the host continued to push ahead in the second.
Sam Wilson and Shaun McDougall moved efficiently in the midfield, with support from playing assistant coach Ben Jensen, boosting Creek to an imposing 6.7 (43) to 2.6 (18) advantage at the main break.
"We were second to the ball," Byrne said.
"We were unaccountable, we didn't use the ball the way we'd like, we were getting cut up in the midfield and we went too wide.
"We were pretty flat."
Centre-half-forward Sam McCluggage got the Cats' comeback campaign underway, taking a strong overhead mark and converting for the first major of the third quarter.
Wayne Parry followed suit with a flashy goal on the run before reliable full-forward Jet Dowie took successive contested marks and kicked accurately.
Creek's Hayden Harradine tried his best to reverse the momentum but Allansford snuck in front 8.10 (58) to 8.9 (57) at the last change.
Play was restricted to the centre for the first five minutes of the fourth with both teams determined to take control.
But the run of Allansford half-back Joel Cornellisen and midfielders Clint Foster, Josh Brown and Nick Johnstone pushed the ball to the northern end, where it eventually stayed for the rest of the quarter.
Another long-range Dowie goal was followed by a diving mark and goal from Brett Membrey.
The Cats finished with six majors in the last term compared to Creek's one behind.
Russells Creek coach Darren Little said his group lacked options and fitness.
"We lost a couple of our key forwards early, so we were down to one on the bench," he said.
"With the hot weather, we probably just ran out of legs a little bit. "
mrooth@standard.fairfax.com.au
