In the 21 v 22 match played at Swan Hill, Central Murray survived a late charge from North Central to win 11.11 (77) to 9.9 (63).

Central Murray led by 18 points at quarter-time, 12 at half-time and 22 at three quarter-time, before North Central surged in the final term.

North Central closed the deficit to just two points and had the momentum, but Central Murray weathered the storm with late goals to finish 14-point victors.

“There wasn’t a lot of difference between the two sides… we probably just lacked that final killer punch,” North Central coach Daniel Gash said.

“We had a big last quarter and had all the run, but just couldn’t quite get there in the end.”

The best player for North Central was midfielder Brody Haddow.

Sam Dunstan (two goals), onballer Caleb Bloomer, Lachlan Cohen and Ricky Allan were others to impress.

Billy McInnes kicked three goals for North Central, but spent 15 minutes off the ground after being yellow-carded late in the second quarter.

Senior details:

Central Murray 4.3, 5.6, 8.11, 11.11 (77)

North Central 1.3, 3.6, 5.7, 9.9 (63)

Goals – Central Murray: T. Thoolen 2, J. Stone 2, T. Coates 2, M. Iannucci 1, R. O'Sullivan 1, J. Campbell 1, J. Reynolds 1, D. Palmer 1. North Central: B. McInnes 3, S. Dunstan 2, D. Benaim 2, R. Allan 1, B. Haddow 1.

Best – Central Murray: M. Wade, A. Erlandson, B. Pay, T. Lamb, B. Hayes, T. Coates. North Central: B. Haddow, L. Cohen, R. Allan, C. Bloomer, S. Dunstan, M. Elliott.

Under-18 result:

Central Murray 3.2, 13.5, 16.8, 21.12 (138)

North Central 0.3, 0.3, 1.6, 3.6 (24)

Under-15 result:

Central Murray 4.4, 8.9, 12.12, 16.17 (113)

North Central 1.0, 1.1, 1.3, 3.3 (21)