by Nicholas Duck
How's the heart rate, Dusties fans?
A missed shot after the siren from Cora Lynn superstar Heath Briggs saw Warragul Industrials claim a thriller by four points over their rivals at Western Park on Saturday.
The home side held sway for most of the match despite some wayward kicking in front of goal.
Their misses almost came back to haunt them as the Cobras made a late charge, kicking the final four goals and sending plenty of scares through the Dusties camp as they desperately tried to hold on.
A holding free to Heath Briggs moments before the siren saw him have a shot to win the game directly in front from 50 metres. His miss ended the day with the Warragul Industrials in front 8.16 (64) to 9.6 (60).
It's a significant win for the Dusties, whose spot inside the top six was under plenty of pressure following their disappointing defeat to Inverloch-Kongwak the week prior.
Defence was king for the Dusties in a match where they had to contend with the competition's most imposing forward in Nathan Gardiner.
Depriving him of supply for most of the day proved to be a winning strategy, but they left the door open through their inability to make the most of their chances up their end.
Realistically they should have had the game sewn up much earlier. But if you give a team like Cora Lynn a sniff, they're going to take it as an invitation, leading to a hectic final term in which the control the Dusties had on the contest evaporated.
Kyan Willis was Warragul Industrials' best for the day, playing a major role in keeping Gardiner quiet. The Cobras skipper managed to find three goals though was otherwise well held.
Nic Visser put in a power of work in the middle and Goy Lok the same in a new role at half back as Jeremy Monckton patrolled the wings with aplomb against his old side.
Captain Michael Debenham won several key contests in a more defensive role, while Bailey Beck was lively up forward.
While his final kick would have left him devastated, Heath Briggs should still hold his head high after a magnificent performance around the ground, especially late as he tried to drag his side over the line.
Gus Da Costa was electric, ruck Billy Thomas was dominant late when his team made their move, goal sneak Will Stephenson proved dangerous around the big sticks while Nathan Villella and Jordan Butera were both effective.
For the most part, the Dusties' game was a perfect summation of their season to date: their good is very good, their bad – namely the last 15 minutes – can be quite bad.
While their accuracy around goal left plenty to be desired, their field kicking inside 50 was on song, even with the breeze.
Both of their first quarter goals – to Debenham and Hancock – came through some gorgeous kicking to players in space, which they were sorely lacking against the Sea Eagles.
Gardiner threatened to get off the chain early in the second quarter, first benefiting from a push in the back free kick close to home and then nailing a difficult set shot from the boundary after a searing lead.
Having already peppered the goals a fair bit, the home side were able to take a lead into half time courtesy of a juggled mark and goal from young star Cody Templeton, who made his return from Gippsland Power duties.
Sensing they were on top around the ground and with the Cobras unable to generate much enthusiasm going forward, Warragul Industrials made their move in the third quarter, again hitting targets on the lead in Hancock and Will Gibson, who were able to take their chances.
And when second-gamer Jarrod West bounced through a beauty from beyond 50 to send the margin to 27 points it was looking like full steam ahead.
Will Stephenson benefited from a sloppy turnover across half back from his Dusties namesake to keep the visitors in touch before Gardiner gave his side even more hope minutes into the final term with his third major.
Dusties coach Bob McCallum steadied the ship thanks to a ruck free inside 50. Bailey Beck did the same not long after when he was clattered into near the goal line, seemingly putting the game beyond doubt.
The Cobras had other ideas, however.
Thomas began to get right on top to help lift the visitors at the clearances – and the goals began to flow.
Heath Briggs snapped a beauty and Matt Ryan slotted one hard against the boundary line to get things closer. Seemingly feeling the heat and having not learnt from last week, the Dusties gave away a double 50-metre penalty for some choice words to the umpire to hand Will Stephenson his second.
Another tough set shot from Butera found the mark to bring the deficit back to just five.
The Dusties defence scrambled late, fighting off several Cobras thrusts forward. They looked set to hold firm until Heath Briggs was brought down without the footy, leading to the day's dramatic finish.
The win now has Warragul Industrials more settled inside the top six with winnable fixtures against Dalyston and Koo wee rup to come.