Jye Menzie fulfilled the boyhood dream of every child who has ever kicked a football, kicking a goal after the siren to hand the Tasmania Devils a sensational victory over Bendigo Pioneers.
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Menzie's fourth goal put his name in Devils' history as they fought off a rampaging Pioneers outfit following a five-goal last quarter from the home side in the 11.10 (76) to 11.8 (74) victory.
Both sides were affected by the damp, dewy conditions early in the contest, with no goals scored until the 22nd minute, where North Launceston's Rhyan Mansell broke the deadlock and was followed by team-mates Bailey Gordon and Cohen Stephenson in quick succession to hand the Devils a 22-point lead at quarter time.
Despite being beaten in the first quarter hit-outs tally, the Devils dominated the inside-50s before the second quarter proved that same end to be the scoring one with Bendigo Pioneers drilling three goals to one to make it seven-point ball game at the half-time break.
The home side drew the scores level within the opening minutes of the third but the traveling Tasmanians were able to stretch the lead out to as much as 21 points through Ethan Jackson, Menzie and Mansell before Pioneers star Sam Conforti and Riley Clarke bought it to 51-42 margin in favour of the NAB League visitors.
Opening the fourth quarter with two missed opportunities from Mansell and Isaac Chugg, Menzie's magic touch goaled again to put the Devils up by 15, eight minutes into the term.
As the Devils looked like running away victorious, Pioneers pair Conforti and James Schischka had other plans, leading the charge to put the home side up by four points with less than five minutes remaining.
When Jake Dick-O'Flaherty goaled with little more than two minutes left to put Bendigo up by 10 points, all hope for the Devils looked gone but Launceston's Chugg found the big sticks heading into the final minute before a quick clearance and mark in Menzie's direction marked an historic victory.
Kingborough's Oliver Burrows-Cheng was silky smooth through the midfield and lurked dangerously in the forward line for the Devils, collecting 18 disposals, a behind and six marks with dual State League premiership player Ben Simpson claiming seven marks in his first Devils' showing.
Jackson had 17 disposals and a goal as the Devils squared up their ledger at three wins and losses.
Josh Partridge
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
