Highlanders suffer another close loss | pictures, scores, live blog

For the third year in succession, the Central Highlands Football League has fallen agonisingly short of success.

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The Highlanders suffered a three-point loss at the hands of Riddell District in Saturday’s AFL Victoria Community Championships senior clash at Buninyong, adding to the heartbreak of four-point defeats in 2016 and 2017.

After leading by 11 points at the final change and controlling most of the last term, the game looked in Riddell District’s keeping until late goals to Jake Dunne and Harry McKimmie had the margin back to less than a kick.

But in a deflating end to the game, the siren sounded straight after the restart following McKimmie’s goal and saw the visitors record a 9.13 to 9.10 victory.

Pictures: Lachlan Bence

McKimmie was a star for the Highlanders in attack and finished with four goals, but it was James Lukich that won the CHFL’s best on ground medal for his efforts in the middle and down back.

Key forward Todd Podolczak kicked six of the visitors’ goals and was a worthy winner of the RDFL’s best on ground medal.

There was some injury concerns for the CHFL out of the clash, with both Jimmy Rodgers and Jarred Crabtree finishing the day with ice on their left calf.

CHFL skipper Mark Gunnell was reported and yellow carded for careless striking during the third term, but is understood to be taking the matter to tribunal.

Senior coach Clive Raak has been at the helm for the Highlanders’ last three losses and was a disappointed man after the final siren.

Watch his interview after the game in the blog below.

RIDDELL DISTRICT 2.3 4.5 8.8 9.13 (67)

CENTRAL HIGHLANDS 1.3 5.7 6.9 9.10 (64)

GOALS – Central Highlands: H. McKimmie 4, D. Robertson, M. Nolan, J. Crabtree, J. Dunne, J. Mahar.

BEST – Central Highlands: J. Lukich, T. Brayshaw, H. McKimmie, J. Robertson, B. Powell, F. Anscombe.

WINNERS AND LOSERS