EVERY footballer dreams of winning a game with a kick after the final siren, but few get the opportunity.
Zac Smith had his chance on Saturday and made no mistake.
A 40m kick from the Gold Coast ruckman had just enough elevation to make it across the point line and give the Gold Coast a dramatic 13.12 (90) to 13.11 (89) victory over the Bendigo Bombers at Cazlays.
The thrilling finale put an exclamation point on an extraordinary fightback from the Gold Coast, who looked set for a thrashing after trailing by five goals at quarter-time.
Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna said his players had showed commendable resolve to win the game after such a poor start.
"For the boys to experience what they did today and then to come out on top was really a message about belief for them," he said.
"We are good enough if we want to be good enough. Technically, we’re good enough but you need to be able to believe in yourself to be able to take these sides on."
The Gold Coast were completely outplayed by the Bombers in the first two quarters.
It looked a case of boys versus men as the Bombers’ midfield commanded the centre of the park, giving Karmichael Hunt and his Gold Coast teammates in the backline plenty of work to do.
Playing only his fourth game of VFL, Hunt looked like a footballer still learning his craft as he struggled to have any type of influence on proceedings.
While Hunt did not have a kick all afternoon, there was no doubting his or the Gold Coast’s commitment after halftime
Thanks to The Cairns Post, read more at: http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2010/07/19/118741_local-sport-news.html
Last Modified on 29/10/2010 12:38