STEWART Porter wound back the clock a decade or so at David Taylor Park on Saturday when the former Northern Division and Country pivot kicked his Magpies to a golden point victory.
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The 43-year-old Porter, one of the best footballers this journalist has seen in the Greater Northern (former Northern Division) region in almost 30 years of reporting, kicked a 53-metre field goal to break an 18-all deadlock against the Walcha Roos.
Werris Creek coach Ron Dellar, who coached the Magpies through their halcyon days of the early to mid ’90s when they won Group 4 First Division premierships and a Claytons Cup, has seen Porter at his brilliant best on many occasions.
On Saturday his remarkable long-range field goal amazed, surprised and delighted his mentor, and father-in-law, all in one.
“It just kept going,” Dellar said.
“It made it pretty easy in the end.”
He recalled Porter kicking Werris Creek to a grand final win over Wee Waa in 1997 as well when Porter and the Magpies were at their brilliant best.
“19-18 was pretty good,” Dellar added.
“It was a battle though.
“That Lachlan Brown (Walcha Roos) caused us a lot of trouble.
“He seemed to be everywhere, out in the centres and then in the forwards.”
Werris Creek sponsor Geoff Dunn, licensee of the Commercial Hotel in Werris Creek, reckoned the field goal one of the best he’s seen.
“It was 3mins 22secs into golden point,” he said.
“Mercurial. We’d already had one field goal attempt but this one was a beauty.”
Walcha had led 8-nil early and then 14-12 at halftime.
The Roos scored with 10 seconds remaining of normal time to tie up at 18-all as well.
“It was a great game,” Dunn said.
“Fuzz (Stewart Porter), Thomas Brown and Cody Tickle all played well.”
Dellar said the Magpies might have paid a dear price for the win though.
“Jessie Porter’s got a dislocated shoulder and is off to Tamworth Hospital,” Dellar said after the game.
“Thomas Brown has injured an ankle so it might have been a very dear win.”
The win elevated the Magpies to outright fourth.
Kootingal’s chaotic win over Dungowan leaves it on top while Barraba hurdled the Cowboys into second with its 40-8 win over Manilla.
GROUP 4 SHIELD TABLE: Kootingal 26, Barraba 22, Dungowan 20, Werris Creek 16, Boggabri 14, Walcha 13, Bendemeer 12, Manilla 6.