It was a season of close calls and near misses but the men’s Strikers can hold their heads high after Saturday’s Plate final loss to Tumut.
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After the side’s Cup aspirations crumbled during the regular season, many expected an experienced Cootamundra side to clean up the fifth-placed playoffs.
Alas, it wasn’t to be as Tumut sprung yet another upset to prevail 2-1 off the back of a scrappy counterattacking game-plan.
“We turned up and the effort was high but things just didn’t go our way on Saturday,” said Strikers skipper Adam McPhail.
“Don’t really know what happened to be honest.”
An early injury to key player Brent Farnsworth didn’t help the Strikers’ cause as Tumut pressed their advantage to draw first blood in the final.
The goal sparked a Strikers fightback and Matt Hoy emerged Cootamundra’s saviour after halftime, blasting a sensational goal from outside the box to level the scores.
A tight tussle ensued and it seemed the dominant Strikers would find a winner in the dying minutes.
But the gritty Eagles had other ideas, forcing a late turnover that sparked an 80-metre counterattack culminating in a Tumut match-winner just before the buzzer.
“To their credit, Tumut really turned up and wanted that win,” McPhail said.
“We thought we were going to run away with it after having the better of that second half.
“I guess it just sums up the year for us.
The Strikers skipper rued an absence of finishing power but praised the efforts of rookie duo Ben Masters and Ben Leak.
“Brent (Farnsworth)’s injury was a massive blow but we played pretty well given all the injuries we’ve been carrying,” he said.
“The Bens did a great job though and I think we’ll be very competitive next year with those boys around.”
Club president James Philpott was gracious in defeat and hailed the Eagles’ charge to Plate glory.
“Tumut have come a long way since the start of the season,” he said.
“As a spectator, we probably had the better of them.
“That being said, their counterattack was really strong and the younger fellas were very good for Tumut and spread the ball quickly.”
Attentions now turn to 2018 and club positions will be advertised again.
“We’ll be on the lookout for people interested in coaching roles but first preference will be given to current holders,” Philpott said.
“They’re definitely at the top of our list.”
