Formosa’s outfit has proven to be a team on the rise, but as the Redlegs ran out at Dookie on Saturday afternoon in Kyabram District League round 11 action, they were yet to win back-to-back games this season.
That all changed come the final siren as they pulled off an incredible 7.7 (49) to 7.9 (51) triumph over Dookie United ― win five of the campaign.
The playing coach’s brother Jye was a standout (one goal), while Dillon Hardy and Bailey McMurtrie contributed strongly, as did multiple goal-kicking duo Dakota Pellegrino (two) and Rhys Cason.
Formosa’s side has been on the improve in 2023 and the win is characteristic of the Redlegs’ new found drive.
“It was important (to hold the nerves) given that we had dropped a similar one earlier in the season to Tallygaroopna,” Formosa said.
“Jye (Formosa) is really important for us every week and he was instrumental in our win. He started the game well and set us up and we just grounded it out as a team after that.
“It’s good to get back to winning against good opposition and now we just have to keep building on that.”
Longwood got off to a bright start by booting four of the first six goals of the match, however United chipped away at the margin throughout the second and third quarters.
The home side had closed the lead to seven points going into the final term, so in response Longwood turned the game into a grind.
The Redlegs were able to frustrate the Thunder through closing down their opponents rather than outscoring them and, come the final whistle, Longwood had its first back-to-back wins for the first time in more than five years.
The two-point triumph saw Formosa become Longwood’s most successful coach, in terms of winning, since the club joined the KDL in 2010.
With a focus on improving the club’s fortunes, Formosa said the record was never at the front of his mind.
“Yeah, I’m not too worried about it,” he said.
“I’m pretty focused on trying to win games every week and trying, hopefully, to make finals and just improving the club and taking it forward.
“We’ve got a pretty big challenge in Nagambie next week, so a bit of confidence from a good win will give us a bit of momentum, hopefully.
“We’ll be looking to make it a grind.”
At Girgarre Recreation Reserve, Avenel got back to winning ways against the struggling Kangaroos.
Lachlan Drummond had a stellar game, while Jake Sutherland booted four goals in the 5.5 (35) to 10.7 (67) win.
The runaway top three sides gave their opponents no hope of causing an upset as Nagambie, Murchison-Toolamba and Shepparton East dominated their games from the first whistle.
Zac Groombridge and Adam Fichera (five goals) starred for Shepparton East as the Eagles blitzed Merrigum 25. 20 (170) to 1.0 (6).
Nagambie feasted on its opponent and chalked up a convincing win over Tallygaroopna, walking away a 14.15 (99) to 5.3 (33) winner.
Tom Barnes carried on his form from last week and was once again the best player for the Lakers.
Murchison-Toolamba was defensively fierce in the first term, holding Stanhope scoreless as the Grasshoppers hopped away to a 7.14 (56) to 3.7 (25) triumph.
Lastly, Lancaster’s Jake Mills starred with seven majors, while Zac Cerrone (two) was brilliant in the Wombats’ 94-point drubbing of Undera.
