THE Bega Bombers defied the odds to overcome the Bermagui Breakers on Saturday.
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The Sapphire Coast AFL’s round 11 clash went Bega’s way 21.19 (145) to Bermagui’s 8.4 (52).
Bega’s senior coach Matt Fleet said he was thrilled with the win.
“I am so proud of the effort, that was our best game in the club’s short history,” Fleet said.
Despite losing captain Adam Blacka in the second quarter to a hamstring injury, the Bombers consolidated and extended their lead for the remainder.
“After he went down, everyone really picked up the bit and carried us through.
“They played for him in a sense.”
The Bombers opened up a strong lead early, putting a 20-point margin on the Breakers at the first quarter break.
Accurate kicking by Blacka, Aaron Wheatley and Scott Hay had Bega firing ahead.
“Aaron Wheatley up forward played one of the best games I’ve seen him in yet.”
Meanwhile, Fleet said it was a solid midfield and defensive efforts that kept Bermagui quiet on the scoreboard.
“Dale Leahy and Todd Ingram in the engine room were brilliant,” Fleet said.
“They were racking up possessions all over the place.
“And Nathan Leahy and Larry Fuller combined in the backs to keep the Breakers’ best out.”
Unfortunately for the Breakers, they picked up a number of injuries last week, which included coach Brent Ohlin, who is a dangerous goal kicker.
“He’s such a big guy and strong kicker, you don’t want to have him in front of your goals,” a spectator said.
However, opportunities for the Bermagui goal kickers were limited by the defence.
Bombers Justin Welsford and John Harney repelled everything that came their way.
Meanwhile, the combination of Chris Dwyer and Steven Luff dominated play out wide for Bega.
“Steven Luff was fantastic and did a magnificent job up and down the ground,” Fleet said.
“His work out on the wings was second to none.
“And Chris Dwyer just ran all day, he’s like a machine.”
The Breakers coordinated plenty of attacking raids, but were either denied by the Bega defence or had some tricky angles to work from and
scored behinds.
On the other hand, the Bega outfit was well orchestrated, with Fleet crediting the team’s off-field relationships to the success.
“They’re all mates, the most important thing about our team is they’re all close-knit.
“We have a lot of fun and a laugh off the field, but we all concentrate and get down to work when we have to.
“That is the kind of culture we want to have for the club - mateship.”
Fleet said the squad is now making a final push towards the finals.
“Without getting complacent, we have a really good run home for the finals.
“The boys are keen to play footy and they work well together, I think that’s really helping us,” he said.