Brilliant Rice goal lifts RFL to thrilling win

Played in beautiful sunny conditions in front of a decent crowd, RFL was forced to come-from-behind to down a plucky Sydney AFL under 23s 14.10 (94) to 13.11 (89) in the interleague representative fixture.

A wonderful snap goal from the forward pocket from Narrandera coach Jim Rice in the 23rd minute of the final term gave RFL the lead for the first time since early in the second quarter.

Rice’s classy goal put RFL in front by two points and Evan Smith and Mitch O’Brien both had chances to ice the game completely but missed set shots in the dying stages.

In the end it didn’t matter as RFL held on to post a memorable, but narrow, win.

Earlier in the game RFL zoomed out of the blocks with five goals to AFL Sydney under 23s three majors.

Collingullie-Ashmont-Kapooka full-forward Marc Geppert (three goals for the game) booted two goals and Curtis Steele, Jayden Kotzur and Jamie Maddox all singles as RFL cruised out to an 11-point advantage at quarter-time.

RFL controlled the opening quarter but the second term belonged to AFL Sydney under 23s and the team booted the opening five goals in just 12 minutes to move out to a 19-point buffer.

Coolamon forward Lew Roberts marked and goaled in the 15th minute but AFL Sydney under 23s hit back before Jacob Olsson kept RFL in touch with a major just before half-time.

After trailing by 16 points at the long break, RFL came out firing early in the third term.

Coach Troy Maiden went smaller up forward and the move paid immediate dividends with CAK star Chris Gordon leading, marking and kicking two goals in the first six minutes for RFL.

When Mitchell Stephenson kicked a running goal in the 16th minute RFL had cut the deficit to just two points.

Once again AFL Sydney under 23s responded with a goal and it took a three-point lead into three-quarter time.

A potential upset was on the cards when AFL Sydney under 23s kicked the first two goals of the final quarter through Timothy Cummins and Callum Kennedy to extend the lead out to 15 points.

RFL skipper Guy Orton kicked a team lifting snap goal in the ninth minute and the team then trailed by 10 points.

Once again, AFL Sydney under 23s responded with Cummins landing his second major of the quarter.

RFL then commenced its comeback with Geppert marking strongly in the goalsquare and kicking truly and Roberts kicking a goal and the team then trailed by just five points at the 17th minute mark.

RFL had two chances to snatch the lead with Geppert and CAK team-mate Ben Absolom both missing shots on goal.

Rice then capped a magnificent performance by snapping truly on his right boot from deep in the forward pocket to give RFL the lead.

Rice was solid all game for RFL through the midfield as was Kotzur, who racked up plenty of the ball and continuously drove the team into attack.

Roberts was strong at centre half-forward while Orton and Maddox worked hard all game in the engine room.

Gordon had plenty of classy touches when playing in the midfield and then was crucial with two goals in the third term.

Steele used his speed and skills to advantage during the game while the backline, led by Murray Stephenson and Matt Noonan, held firm for the majority.

Young Mangoplah-Cookardinia-United-Eastlakes star Jock Cornell was a late inclusion in the RFL team and made his representative debut at just 16 years of age.

Cornell was originally named as an emergency but received the call-up from Maiden yesterday when Wagga Tigers star Matt Rava pulled out with injury.

Cornell, who was a member of the All-Australian under 15 team last year, played limited game time on the wing and had some nice touches.