MALLALA almost let a 43-0 lead in its Adelaide Plains Football League preliminary final against Two Wells slip, but held on late to win 9.17 (71) to 9.12 (66) to book its spot in the grand final.
The second quarter saw the Roosters kick 6.6 to the Magpies’ one point, trimming the margin to two at the half.
In a staggering display of inaccuracy, Mallala used the wind in the ‘premiership quarter’ to kick 2.9, leaving the door wide open for Two Wells to use the four-goal breeze coming home in the last – only trailing by 23.
Mallala coach Jason Earl said while he still needed his side to put something on the scoreboard to win the game, it was truly “all hands on deck” late.
“I felt we were a bit loose defensively in the first half, especially that second quarter, so we had to tighten that up,” he said.
“I think in the second half we adjusted really well and got our matchups right, and we were more accountable around the stoppages.
“We were fortunate enough to score a goal through a quick spread early in that last quarter, and the wind shifted directions a little bit too which made it a bit easier to defend, but they were throwing everything at us.”
That one fourth quarter goal proved to be the difference, as Two Wells kicked 3.6 in the final term to get within touching distance in a case of ‘close, but no cigar.’