WEDDERBURN was unable to stage a second stunning comeback in a fortnight when Sea Lake Nandaly was allowed to run rampant in the final quarter at Donaldson Park on Saturday.
A 15-minute lapse in endeavour saw the Tigers pile on eight goals for the term, just two behinds short of doubling its score at the final break.
Wedderburn had stayed in touch with the reigning premiers for 75 minutes and trailed by 18 points and still a chance for another attempt at a steal.
The Redbacks showed their fighting capacity before the King’s Birthday break when falling agonisingly short against Boort.
Joe Lockhart and Isaac Holt across half-back and Jackson McEwen in the centre were feeding the ball well into the forward zone where, after the main break, Jye Mortlock had his eye in around goals. So too did Mitch Jensen who finished the game with four goals.
But it was the Tigers’ skipper Wade Donnan who cut the Redbacks’ midfield to ribbons in those crucial minutes of the final term. He was backed up by the Tigers’ prize recruit Oscar Brownless in the centre and veteran Billy McInnes in defence - their pressure more like a blitz as goals flowed as freely as crucial free kicks in the forward zone.
Wedderburn had started the last stanza well with a goal from Hamish Lockhart. A series of errors, however, rattled the Redbacks before they dug deep to bring endeavour and system back to their game,
A late goal by Jensen, however, would be nullified on the scoreboard when Sea Lake Nandaly scored with a kick after the siren.
Wedderburn was again without coach Tom Metherell in the starting 21 on Saturday.
This Saturday, the Redbacks should be back on the winner’s list when they travel to Charlton.
While with just three wins so far this season, Wedderburn retains a positive percentage, sitting in fifth spot on the ladder. Charlton has had two wins but has a percentage of just 23.45.