Crows clear Cats in finals preview

by Davyd Reid
Longwarry prevailed by just five-points in a see-sawing contest with Neerim-Neerim South, which bodes well for the upcoming finals series.
The Crows came roaring back into contention after conceding the first four goals of the match, before an entertaining finish that saw several lead changes.
A final attempt at a remarkable goal from the pocket crashed into the post for the Cats, the Crows then going long from the kick in to hold on, 11-5 (72) to 9-13 (67).
Earlier, the Cats looked the better side on the day despite missing Tyssen Morrow to a hamstring injury.
After some early wayward shots, the Cats found their range as Kai Mounsey converted the first with a straight set shot, coming after some strong work to make front position.
The Cats went long to centre half forward as Kody Wilson collected the ball off hands for a roving snap for goal.
The Crows defence were working to try and pressure, only for the Cats to go backwards to move forward and find Aaron Hillberg on the lead for their third.
Some dashing run along the wing and a long kick set up Rhys George for an opportunity in the pocket, the Cats taking a commanding 28-point lead into the first change.
Having been held goalless in the first term, the Crows began to work their way back into the contest.
Nic Visser got on the end of one running back towards goal before Tyler van der Heyden rank one through to reduce the margin to 17-points.
Slow and controlled ball movement helped the Cats to a steadier through Chris Urie, before Hillberg converted a nice set shot from the flank to undo much of the Crows work.
Unperturbed, Longwarry would finish strongly to close the margin again.
Dynamo Bailey Stephens took off to celebrate a goal from the pocket before Visser converted after the siren, aided by a 50-metre penalty.
The Crows made their move in the third quarter, coming out full of running to extend their streak to five consecutive goals and breathe life back into the contest.
Riley Rundell took off in celebration after running through their fifth.
Jedd Serong led across goal to find a mark in the pocket before duly converting.
Fast ball movement from the middle saw the Crows find Rundell on his own in the pocket, and the Crows had sensationally taken the lead.
A snap on goal from Xavier Muir saw the lead change again, the Cats heading to the final change with a narrow six-point lead.
Bailey George, Tyler Pratt, Lachlan French, Muir, Wilson and Hillberg were helping the Cats hold on.
Leading the challenge from the Crows were Angus Adamiak, Rundell, Stephens, van der Heyden, Brayden Chandler and Troy Lehman.
A fast centre break saw the Crows level the scores in the opening seconds, finding Dylan Holland in the goal square.
Good conversion in a tense finish prevailed as the sides continued to trade goals.
Riley Rundell converted from the flank to edge the Crows ahead.
It was a tied ball game again when a smart kick from one step found Riley Ferguson on the lead.
A long goal from Mounsey edged the Cats ahead, only for Longwarry to tie it again through Rundell, doing his best to try and get the Crows up and going.
Kane Oldham played on quickly to ultimately put through the sealer late into time on.
The Cats threatened to tie it up again, only for the miraculous attempt from the pocket teasing to go through before hitting the post.
The Crows cleared from full back to the siren, the result all but securing the minor premiership.