BILLABONG Crows staged a late comeback to snatch a thrilling draw against Culcairn in their Hume league clash at Culcairn on Saturday.

The Crows led by four points over their more fancied opponents at the final change despite the Lions having six more scoring shots after booting a wasteful 4.11.

With their finals aspirations on the line the Lions kicked the only goal late in the final quarter to hit the lead with only minutes remaining.

Crows forward Angus Bourchier had a chance to once again hand the visitors the lead but his set shot slammed into the goal post inside the final minute to leave them trailing by one point.

The Crows mounted one final attack from the kick out with the ball being rushed through for a behind with less than 10 seconds remaining, resulting in a draw.

Crows coach Ben Kerr thrived in the slippery conditions and battled hard in the clinches to create plenty of opportunities for dangerous sharpshooter Josh Evans who booted four goals.

The Crows were missing several players including Matt Toohey with Zach Kerr and Tim Smith doubling up after also playing thirds.

Kerr said the Crows rated themselves a chance of causing an upset in the slippery conditions.

“There wasn’t much in it all day and it could have gone either way,” Kerr said.

“We knew when we turned up and saw the wet conditions we were in with a sneaky chance.

“Everyone played well and it was one of our best performances of the season.

“I’m not disappointed in the end but we led all day and probably should have won.

“But in saying that I’m happy with the result.”

In other matches Brock-Burrum scored a convincing win against CDHBU while Osborne enjoyed an 80-point victory over Walla.

Tiger forward Sam Terlich booted five goals in Rand-Walbundrie’s 99-point shellacking of Murray Magpies.

JINDERA continued its giant-killing run with a thrilling five-point win against premiership favourite Howlong at Jindera on Saturday.

After upsetting finals contender Lockhart last week, the Bulldogs claimed the massive scalp of Howlong with a 7.3 (45) to 5.10 (40) victory.

Trailing by seven points at the final change the Bulldogs rallied to kick the only two goals of the final term and keep the Spiders scoreless.

Midfielder Ash Sibraa kicked the match-winning goal after a brilliant snap from a stoppage with less than three minutes left.

The Bulldogs’ defence, comprising Nathan Chamings and Jacob Millar, was outstanding in the victory.

Millar was superb with his ability to shut down boom Spider spearhead Daniel Bradshaw and restrict him to two goals and his lowest tally this season.

The victory was made even sweeter for the Bulldogs with the club celebrating the 150th matches of popular clubmen Trevor Callanan and Tom Weldon.

Premiership coach Ken Stevenson said the victory was the club’s finest outside finals in his time at the club.

“It was certainly the finest home and away club win that I have been involved in for a long time,” Stevenson said.

“It was a really tough, hard-fought game of footy.

“We had a game plan which we thought could beat them on the day and that was to shut down their run through the corridor.

“We were able to do that and the

effort from the players was fantastic.”

The match was delayed 45 minutes as an ambulance was called to treat Reece Bailey who suffered a neck injury in the reserves late in the final quarter.

Howlong has slipped to third on the ladder and it’s a major blow to the Spiders’ top-two aspirations.

The Spiders trail second-placed Henty by significant percentage ahead of a tough month with matches against premiership contender Holbrook, Culcairn, the bye and Osborne.

Meanwhile, Holbrook was forced to dig deep to hold off the challenge of a determined Lockhart.

Leading by a two-point margin at the final change, the Brookers kicked the only goal of the final term to emerge with a 12-point victory.

Brooker trump card Michael Lamb was the major difference between the sides and booted three goals in a best on ground display.

The Demons host Culcairn this week with the loser’s finals credentials under pressure with Brock-Burrum firmly in finals contention with six rounds left.