Myrtleford’s senior football squad was given a barometer test ahead of finals by the ladder leading Rovers, who took the points in a hard-hitting showdown.

After a slow start, the Saints gained momentum through the match, but it was too little, too late in the 7.6 (48) to 10.10 (70) loss.

Rainfall both before and during the early stages of the match made the ball tough to handle at time, and Rovers proved the slicker ball users, with Myrtleford trailing by four points at the first break.

The Rovers were able to string together goals through either luck or skill, and the Saints had trouble stemming the tide.

A five goal to one second term had the Saints on the ropes, but they fought back extremely well in the second half.

A 39-point margin at three quarter time was wrangled down to 22 at the final siren, with the Saints aware of where they need to improve heading into finals.

Coach Craig Millar said errors early were seized upon by the Rovers.

“There were some really good parts of our game but unfortunately we were just a little bit off, and when you’re off a little bit against a team who is stacked full of really good players, they make you pay,” he said.

“They were just a lot cleaner over the ball than we were, they were a bit more efficient by hand and foot when conditions were a bit greasy.

“We just didn’t adjust to it very well early, and they made us pay.

“I was really proud of our second half, we nearly got back into a position where we can win the game in the last quarter.

“It wasn’t our day, but there was a lot to learn, and a lot of positives to come out of the game.”

Brady Sharp was strong in defence, keeping Rovers tall forwards honest for most of the match, while Tom Cappellari’s cleanliness and Simon Curtis’ experience were highlights.

The day took a physical toll on players, with defender Zac Pethybridge’s finals campaign in doubt after a suspected fractured foot just before half time.

Jake Sharp and Jaxon East were cleared of any concussion symptoms after a nasty head knock caused some claret to flow, but both will be available for selection this weekend.

Mitch Tenardi will also be back available after he was rested, while calls will have to be made about VFL-listed Dom Bedendo.

Heading into this weekend’s match against third-placed North Albury, with a bronze-place ladder finish on the line, Millar and the selection panel will look at every option to bring the heat against the Hoppers.

“We had a really tight tussle with them earlier in the season, and we definitely had our moments and chances then,” Millar said of North Albury.

“If we win, then we will secure third, and if they win, they hold third.

“Our goal was to push up the ladder this year, and to be in a position where we can potentially have an influence on third position is exciting, and I know our players will do everything they can to get right and try and grab that result.”

In earlier matches, the reserves sit second overall after a 26-point win over the Rovers, 12.6 (78) to 8.4 (52), while the thirds received a touch-up 0.1 (1) to 17.17 (119).

Over on the netball court, it was a heartbreaking result for the A grade side, who ended up on the wrong side of a one-goal thriller.

After four tense quarters of stunning netball in challenging conditions, Myrtleford were unable to deny Rovers their first win of the season, downed 40-41.

The first quarter saw both teams trade blows, even at quarter time, but the Saints started to find their feet in the second.

Myrtleford’s goalers were able to capitalise on their chances and turnovers to shoot out to a four-goal lead at half-time.

As the rain started to come down, the Saints kept their noses in front, but a push from the Rovers in the dying minutes of the game saw them snatch victory by the barest of margins.

Despite the result, the heart and fight shown by the Saints cannot be denied.

Jorja Reidy was dynamic through the midcourt, while Tayla Cartright put in another fantastic performance in goal defence.

The A grade Saints will round out their season with a final home game this weekend against North Albury, who will be looking to fine tune their game ahead of finals.

In other grades, it was a day of mixed results for Myrtleford’s teams, with the C grade (39-34) and under 15s (64-22) celebrating wins, while B grade (42-52) and under 17s (49-63) went down.

The last round of the O&M’s home and away season will see Myrtleford take on North Albury at McNamara Reserve on Saturday.