By Tara Murray
A stunning goal on the siren from Westmeadows’ Ryan Stingel will go down as one of the goals of the Essendon District Football League division 2 season.
The Tigers and Rupertswood produced a finals-like game and the result was no exception.
Both teams had their chances during the game, but it would come down to the final kick of the game.
Stingel, on the run from about 50 metres out, was able to kick it through to give his side a 12.12 (84)-12.9 (81).
Tigers coach Ash Flavel said he still couldn’t believe the result the following day.
He said he knew how long was left on the clock.
“When [Clayton] Bonello kicked a goal with 30 seconds to go I thought we were going to be in trouble,” he said.
“They threw everyone into our forward, they did the wrong thing. They got the clearance out and kicked it straight to [Michael] Portelli.
“Their wingers had gone up forward as well.
“Stinger had 30 to 40 metres and just took off. If anyone was to kick it he was the one we wanted, he is our biggest kick in the side.”
Flavel said he watched the umpire as it went through and knew he had kicked it with the umpire not moving.
With the closeness of the competition, Flavel said it was a season-defining win.
“I said to them after the game, I know that we didn’t play that well,” he said. “Credit to Rupo.
“I think last year we would have shut up shop when we didn’t put a side away. We had that belief.
“I said to the boys that it was like a grand final.”
The Tigers shared the goals around with five players kicking two goals each.
Michael Portelli, Riley Hearne and Francis Keenan were named the Tigers best.
Flavel said the good thing for them was they still had improvement to come this season.
“We still had three or four out of our best 22,” he said.
“We’ve started to get the wheel turning. We haven’t played our best footy and are still improving each week.
“We don’t want to be peaking until closer to finals.”
The Tigers sit second on the ladder after six straight wins.
Flavel said it would be another big challenge this week, facing Coburg Districts which has started to find form.
