A day of celebration for Montmorency has been sweetened even further after staging a thrilling final quarter comeback against an off-guard Hurstbridge.
The Magpies emerged as victors by six points, ending their four-game losing streak and securing their fourth win for the season in what was Daniel “Bomber” Keenan’s 300th game for Montmorency.
Hurstbridge led at every change, but they were unable to stop the rampaging Montmorency onslaught in the final quarter.
Wanting to claim a victory in Keenan’s milestone match, Montmorency were determined to make a statement early.
Yet the envisaged ideal start did not all go to plan.
The Magpies’ injury woes continued with Luke Collins awkwardly landing on his left knee in a valiant effort to intercept a Hurstbridge forward entry.
Hurstbridge’s blistering midfield, fronted by vice-captain Jack Grimes and Tom Simpson, enabled key forward Daniel Francis to slot the first major of the game.
Dominating the clearances throughout most of the first term, the Bridges’ rapid link-up handballs and persistent run stood marked against the generally flat-footed Magpies.
This flowing style of play was further aided by Hurstbridge’s ability to find a free man in the defensive kick-ins, allowing them to tear through the centre of the ground and score a further two goals.
The lapse in Montmorency’s pressure and subsequent inability to suppress Hurstbridge’s run was evident with only ten tackles been accumulated for the quarter.
Despite this, glimpses of the Magpies’ early form were displayed sporadically throughout the first quarter.
Matt Hunt displayed his agility skilfully weaving through heavy opposition traffic, while Bill Jenkin displayed his trademark composure in defence.
Patrick Fitzgerald and Matt Deaves again combined, each slotting a goal apiece for the quarter.
The start of the second term was greeted by an explosive Jesse Donaldson; his gritty intent ultimately giving Fitzgerald his second major early.
Matching the ferocity of their skipper, Matt Hunt and Daniel Keenan emphasised their tackling expertise and toughness on multiple occasions – their efforts laying the groundwork for scoring opportunities.
Yet a rapid flurry of behinds from the Magpies resulted in only 3.7 being scored for the term.
A precise kick from Brent Fotheringhame secured the second of Montmorency’s goals, keeping their fighting spirit alive.
Utilising pace in the midfield and fast ball movement out of defence, Hurstbridge replied with five unanswered goals.
Dynamic Hurstbridge goal-sneak Tieran Barbera burst onto the scene, booting two of these five goals back-to-back goals.
But it was the milestone man in Daniel Keenan who provided the true highlight of the quarter, slotting a goal from outside the 50 which was received with a tremendous roar from the Montmorency faithful.
The spectacle revitalised the Magpies and the pressure harkened back to their early form.
Fierce tackles from Jenkin, Deaves and Donaldson, although unrewarded, showed signs of fight and determination going into the second half.
Although Jack Grimes scored an early goal in the third quarter, Stefan Uzelac and Matt Hunt stood tall and applied consistent pressure on the resilient Bridges.
A goal and two aggressive tackles in rapid succession from Hunt – although the second was penalised – accentuated the growing determination from the black and white army.
Bobby Lamanna similarly showcased courage, daringly tearing through the centre and feeding the ball to the forwards.
But no tackle throughout the game could be levelled with that of the moustached Ethan Miller-Gaff, who single-handedly halted a rampaging Tom Simpson.
Miller-Gaff’s courage in the face of adversity not only stopped a certain Hurstbridge goal, but unified the team to respond with equal ferocity.
As spot-fire melees broke out around the ground, the determination and desire to win became more evident from both sides.
Although Hurstbridge still appeared to outnumber Montmorency at stoppages, the tightening man-on-man approach and accompanying pressure limited the margin to only 15-points at three-quarter time.
Pressure acts from the beginning of the fourth quarter kick-started Montmorency’s unanswered three-goal comeback.
Important marks from Joel McLellan and a crucial rundown tackle from Alex Chiocci were only some of the small one-percenters that turned the tide of the game.
Bobby Lamanna and Ethan Miller-Gaff rose to prominence with breakout quarters, maintaining composure in crucial defensive moments.
A consistent Jesse Donaldson also found himself with the ball in his hands frequently, amassing 42 disposals for the day.
Patrick Fitzgerald put the Magpies in the lead after taking a high-flying mark, playing on and booting a superb goal from the 50.
Unfortunately, a heroic spoil by the steadfast Miller-Gaff resulted in a very late knee injury, forcing him to be stretchered off the field.
As the siren sounded, the Magpie crowd erupted and applauded even louder as 300-game superstar Daniel Keenan was chaired off the ground.
Post-match, Keenan praised Coach Ben Haynes and the team for their efforts and refocusing their approach going into the second half.
“We wanted to go out and apply man-on-man pressure, and we needed to ask ourselves [at half time] how we needed to apply ourselves,” Keenan said.
“In the first half Hurstbridge ran freer than us and that was definitely one of the things Haynesy talked about at half-time.
"They showed early when they got the ball and ran it fast that they were very dangerous, so we wanted to slow down their run from the half-back line and apply that pressure. And if we had that man-on-man approach we could do that.”
Keenan, a two-time recipient of the Frank Rosbrook Medal (2008, 2009), was humbled at both the Montmorency and Hurstbridge Football Clubs for recognising his milestone match.
Beginning his junior career at Hurstbridge before moving to Montmorency in 2002, the round 8 clash between his two clubs was organised around his momentous occasion.
“It’s a big honour, it’s a culmination of half a lifetime of work playing football, and obviously when you’re involved heavily with the football club you spend so much of your life down here – it’s truly amazing,” Keenan said.
“It was nice for all the boys to get around for it. It’s been something that’s been coming for the whole year and now that it’s here it’s almost a big relief.”
Montmorency will look to carry their momentum into next week in a highly anticipated clash against Macleod.
FINAL SCORE: Montmorency 11.21 (87) defeated Hurstbridge 12.9 (81)
BEST: Hunt, Uzelac, Donaldson, Deaves, Keenan, Jenkin, Miller-Gaff
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