It’s a Lang Lang way to the top

LANG Lang showed it was a vastly improved team and a serious finals threat after it staged an amazing come-from-behind six-point victory over Cora Lynn on Saturday in the EDFL match of the round.
With the scores tied, new recruit John Nichols scored the winning goal in the final minute of the game – his seventh to cap off a superb game against his former club.
Nichols, who was best on the ground, was also responsible for igniting the Tigers early, with a series of quick leads, strong grabs and four first-quarter goals.
The first half featured a number of momentum swings and, at the main break, the visitors (Cora Lynn) led by 13 points. It was a well-deserved lead, because it had 20 scoring shots to 12.
In the third quarter the Cobras surged to 47 points in front and were still 40 points up at three-quarter-time.
Bearing in mind that they finished strongly with eight last-quarter goals in each of their first two victories, the visitors, in betting terms, were at prohibitive odds to win.
Their strong position at the last break was thanks to strong defence by Tim Payne and Tim Beilby, hard attack on the ball by Will van Diemen and tremendous work in and around the midfield by Anthony Giuliano, in his 100th game and James Bradshaw.
Opportunist forward and Mornington recruit Ryan Gillis menaced the Tiger defence to score six goals, while youngster Jordan Toole was good early.
But in the last quarter the Tigers dug deep, opened the throttle and whittled down the deficit before snatching a morale-;boosting victory, thanks to a stunning nine-goal term.
While early days, the win may well turn out to be a season-defining victory for the Tigers. In addition to Nichols, fellow forward Kurt Batt played a huge role in their last quarter resurgence, and Jarrod and Bryce Tonks, Hadley Tomamichel also pitched in with many vital possessions. In defence Stuart Casey, Aaron Cressey and Jamie Hawker repelled many dangerous attacks.
An ecstatic first-year Tigers coach Ben Dwyer admitted on Saturday night it was an unreal revival by his charges.
“I told the boys to keep at it and their endeavour and character could not be faulted,” he said.
“Hopefully this will be a catalyst for us and hold us in good stead for the rest of the season.”
Lang Lang joins new ladder leaders Warragul Industrials and Garfield as the three only undefeated teams at the conclusion of the third round of the season.
New Cobras coach Brendan Kimber was left flabbergasted with his team’s last quarter fade-out.
“After conceding two 50-metre penalties early in the last quarter we went to sleep and could not stop their momentum, hopefully we will learn from it,” he said.