By Matthew Stadtmiller
Managing Editor
Dave Brown slots the game winning field goal at McLean Oval on Saturday, sealing the win for the Binalong Brahmans over the Harden Hawks.
The Binalong Brahmans came to Harden with a big job to do on Saturday as Harden held their sponsors day, however, Binalong managed to do it, all while their leader Chris Rawlinson carried a leg injury. From the kick off it was clear the Co Coach of Binalong was not 100 percent when he had to quickly limp back to catch the ball on the full before handing it off to his front rower.
The Brahmans came from behind in a gritty and determined fashion where the scoreboard was 10 nil in favour of Harden, before Binalong levelled it up at 10 all.
Rawlinson’s leg came good when he kicked a 30-0 towards the end of the match. He actually kicked the ball from his own 30 metre line and it went out within 50 centimetres of the corner post which was far further than your regular possession winning 40-20. A Kick which would have put most NRL players to shame.
From the ensuing play, Binalong received a penalty and Rawlinson stepped up to take the kick. Unfortunately for the veteran, he pulled it across the front of the sticks and the score stayed locked at 10 all. Binalong got the ball again soon after and with Harden rushing Rawlinson, expecting him to take the drop goal, he passed wide to his left to fellow veteran Dave Brown who slotted the goal with a forceful left boot, to win the match 11-10 with about a minute to play.
Rawlinson gave the Times a run down of the end of the match from his perspective.
“We scored with about twenty to go, and it was converted, so that put us within four and then we scored down the left hand side and that got us to 10.
There was a bit of a tussle where no-one was trying to give away penalties and play out the remaining minutes infringement free.
“I kicked it from about 30 out, so it was a 70 metre kick which just kept rolling.
If it had of gone out in goal, it would have been a different game with Harden working it out from their own line, however, Rawlinson’s accuracy was pin point.
Unhappy with his missed conversion, Rawlinson said, “If we had of lost like that I would have been filthy, but I’m not.”
“Swaff (Andrew Swaffield) threw it to me and I called for Dave (Dave Brown) to go to my left because he is a natural left footer. Last week we had an opportunity and really stuffed it up going for the field goal. We didn’t set up properly, so we trained for it during the week.’
Chris Rawlinson gets a pass away to Dave Brown after being passed to by Andrew Swaffield.
“The boys stayed in it. Commitment and attitude just turned up for each other, we had 8 unable to train this week and a few who shouldn’t have played today, (Saturday), I’m proud of the boys.”
39 year old Dave Brown was happy with the kick telling the Times it was his first drop goal in his career. “Rawlo called it so I was just ready. I hit it pretty sweet. I’ve never even tried to kick one before, it’s my first one.”
Dave Brown prepares to strike the Steeden to give Binalong the win after receiving a pass from his right from Chris Rawlinson.
Rawlinson chimed in by joking that Brown was getting up there in age and at 57 was doing a good job. “He is older than Tony Worthy and Nick Hall.”
Rawlinson said “We are off to Binalong for the last home game against Coota. Hopefully it will be a bit even this time.”
When asked what Binalong has to do to beat Coota, Rawlinson said, “We just turn up again like we did against Bungendore. We were a bit flat against Harden, but we stayed in the game. They were gritty both weekends. We just have to realise that we can actually beat these teams. It gets in our heads that we don’t think we are better than them.”
“It’s trying to get the young fellas to think they are better than these teams, especially our forward pack, they are a good pack. I think they can go to another level, but they just don’t think it yet. Against Bungendore we did, against Harden we were a bit shy and didn’t go after them as much as I wanted to, but we still stayed in the game, which is good as it’s gritty, grinding, semi final type footy.”
“If we beat Coota we will stay second on the ladder. Bungendore is first.”
Binalong now sit in 2nd place on the same points as Bungendore (21), however, the Tigers have a far better differential. Coota is in 3rd place on 20 points alongside Harden 4th on 20. A differential of 39 points separates the former Group 9 clubs in the closest final series in recent memory. With a match like Saturday’s at McLean oval anything is possible come finals time.
The tight George Tooke Shield table with one round to go.
The Jersey Girls went down in a close one 16-10 against the Hawkettes. Keep an eye out for their report. More to come.
