Whittlesea wasn’t able to hold as Macleod pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in Northern Football League division 2 history.
The qualifying final produced a match for the ages with Macleod somehow pulling victory from the jaws of defeat.
The Eagles were sensational in the first half, leaving by 39 points after the margin was as much as 51 points.
That margin was back to 11 points at three quarter time with the Kangaroos coming hard.
They hit the front late and were able to come away with the 15.13 (103)-15.11 (101) victory.
Eagles coach Garry Ramsay said it was a tough one to take.
“It was played in two halves,” he said. “We played our best footy for the year in the first half.
“They played really good footy in the second half.
“It was a good quality game of footy.”
Ramsay said he thought their good players had stood up early in the game and helped them get on top.
Darcy Barden, who has kicked 100 goals this season, was goalless at the main break.
As the Kangaroos got on top, Barden got into the game and finished with four goals.
Michael Hurley moved from attack into defence and the All-Australian centre half back shone in the position he made his own at Essendon.
“Our good players were fantastic in the first half and their good players were equally as good in the second half,” Ramsay said.
“They hit the front with a minute to go after we led nearly all day.”
Blake Watson kicked three goals for the Eagles and was named their best. Jaron Murphy and Mitchell Andrews were others named in the best.
Ramsay said they would take a lot out of that match.
“It shows that our best is good enough but we have to play it for longer,” he said. “Our best is really good and that was our best footy of the year.
“The second half we played more like we had in some games this year. A bit more is required to win the bigger games.”
The loss is the Eagles third finals loss in the past two years.
They have another chance this Sunday in a knockout semi final against St Mary’s which beat Northcote Park on Sunday.
Ramsay said they had already looked to lick their wounds and regroup.
“The spirits were pretty good and we’ll look to fire next Sunday.”
