Three consecutive losses and a bye for the Redlegs over the previous month had left the Redlegs without a win since June and a game outside the top six, however, a huge victory over Tallygaroopna on Saturday has once again pushed Longwood to within touching distance of September.
Travelling to Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve in a battle of the Redlegs, Longwood proved far too classy for the home side, claiming a 15.14 (104) to 4.12 (36) victory, ensuring they finish round 15 outside the top six only on percentage.
A slow start had Scott Stefanos’ men trailing 1.2 (8) to 2.4 (16) at quarter time, with Tallygaroopna bringing plenty of fight and looking likely to continue Longwood’s recent run of losses.
But the visitors found a spark at the quarter time huddle, and the look of the contest changed completely as the ball was thrown up to begin the second term, with Longwood utterly dominant from that point.
The eight-point deficit at quarter time was quickly changed into a 16-point advantage by the main break courtesy of a five-goal-to-one second term from the visitors, who continued on with it after emerging from the rooms to lead 9.7 (61) to 4.8 (32) by the final change, having again restricted Tallygaroopna to just one goal in the third quarter.
But Longwood had saved the best for last, blowing the game to bits in the final term with six goals while serving up a supreme defensive display, keeping the home side to four behinds to win by an eventual 68 points.
Jye Formosa was again Longwood’s best in the victory, well supported by Dillon Hardy and four goals from Liam Patterson, while Woody Guthrie led the charge for Tallygaroopna.
The win ensures Longwood now sits seventh on the ladder with a 7-6 record, level on wins with sixth-placed Stanhope and less than five percentage points outside the finals positions after the Lions suffered a loss on Saturday.
Hosting ladder leaders Nagambie (13-1), Stanhope was valiant but ultimately unable to stop the rampant Lakers, going down 9.6 (60) to 17.16 (118), with Nagambie’s Tom Barnes booting another seven goal to move to 93 for the season and within touching distance of the 100-goal barrier.
Elsewhere, third-placed Murchison-Toolamba (11-3) continued its good form with a 19.8 (122) to 3.8 (26) victory over fifth-placed Avenel (8-5), while Lancaster (12-1) scored a mammoth 27.26 (188) to 0.1 (1) win over Merrigum (0-13) and Shepparton East (10-3) dispatched Violet Town (1-12) 30.16 (196) to 10.7 (67).
Sunday saw Rushworth host Girgarre in a standalone fixture, with the final result unavailable at the time of publishing.
