Williamstown CYMS had to resort to what coach Mathew Montebello described as “winning ugly” to return from Yarra Valley with a tentative hold on a top-two spot with two rounds left in the Victorian Amateur Football Association’s division 1 regular season.
At one stage, the CYs had opened up a five-goal lead, but it gradually got whittled down to make for a nervous ending to the game. The CYs hung on to win 12.12 (84) to 11.6 (72).
“I got a few extra grey hairs at the end,” Montebello said with a chuckle.
“We spoke about it before the game. Even when we played them last time, they’re a really honest team that will just go in and have a crack.”
CYs were a tad off colour on Saturday. Undisciplined acts cost them goals on two occasions. There appeared to be a lack of intensity once their lead had been established, which allowed Yarra Valley to grow in confidence and kept them in with a fighting chance.
“I hope it’s a one-off because we’ve been playing really good footy over our last six weeks,” Montebello said.
“We weren’t switched on the way we have been and we need to be a lot sharper than that going into the finals.
“We spoke about it after the game. I was happy with the win but not happy with the process.”
Ryan Danaher produced one of his best performances in a CYs jumper. Danaher was the clear-cut best-on-ground for his numerous goal-saving moves in defence.
“He was inspirational,” Montebello said. “His attack at the footy and marks in the last line of defence saved us time and time again.”
Ash Heaver, a workman-like wingman, was one of the CYs players who followed the lead of Danaher. Heaver displayed his usual gut- running, tidy skills and ferocious tackling, but his best work came in the defensive 50.
“He made a few desperate tackles in the backline, where if he hadn’t have tackled, they would’ve been goals,” Montebello said.
Luke Molan booted three goals for CYs after a week out with a groin injury.
Fin Adamson was outstanding in the ruck and at ground level with 22 defensive acts.
Lachie Fairley was one of the match-winners and helped out as a second ruckman when Kurt Scown twinged a groin.
CYs will need to keep winning to preserve their top-two status, starting with Prahran Assumption at Fearon Reserve on Saturday.
“They touched us up last time we played them so we know they’re not going to be easy to beat,” Montebello said.
