When an opposition player does something extraordinary, you often have no choice but to sit back and appreciate it.
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And South Rovers mentor Adam Matheson did just that when Russells Creek forward Matt Petherick used his star ruck Tom Bowman as a step-ladder in the goal square during the first quarter.
Bowman tracked back to spoil a shot at goal when the former Old Collegians player saw his golden opportunity and duly converted his first of four goals.
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"I've seen some good contested marking that was a clear standout - an absolute screamer," Matheson said.
"Petherick was just sitting on Bowman's shoulders, and I felt for him, because he had positioned himself well."
The Lions would add to the highlights reel in the same goal square when Mark Murphy (five goals) channeled Alan Didak to score after he kicked the ball over his head from the turf to add some icing to the 19.12 (126) to 11.13 (79) victory.
Dylan Cox (shoulder) and Dechlan Picken (hamstring tightness) were late withdrawals, but Matheson said the pair would be right to go in South Rovers' "must-win" game against Panmure next week.
The South Rovers mentor was left frustrated by Russells Creek's ability to capitalise on short kicking and uncontested marking, but said that could be rectified in the future with an increased focus on individual accountability.
And in a warning to Chris Bant's Bulldogs outfit, he said 2007 premiership player Nathan Murphy "wound the clock back" in a best on ground performance.
"His ball use from half back was just fantastic," Matheson said.
Russells Creek coach Peter Timms said his side copped a body blow when it lost Lukas Essenwanger (hip) at the first bounce, with the first-choice ruck set for two to four weeks on the pine.
But the Creekers were buoyed by the successful return of Jayden Askew, who clunked a handful of contested marks and booted one goal.
Timms said Russells Creek could also benefit from the return of Harry Hall, Coedie Carter and Marcus Askew for next week's game against Nirranda.
And while he was rapt with Ryan Keogh's shut-down job on South Rovers danger-man Trent Harman, Timms said his side needed to build its composure.
"Being a young side we turn the ball over a bit too much," he said.
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