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There were a lot of heroic performances during the Cats’ six-point qualifying final win over the Magpies, but none greater than Gary Rohan’s showing.
With plenty of chatter about his poor finals record leading into the match, the veteran forward stood up and was counted when it mattered most, taking a stunning contested mark in the final minutes.
The 31-year-old took the match-winning grab at half-forward just seconds after Jordan De Goey put the Pies back in front. And keeping his composure, Rohan went back and drilled the 50m set shot.
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Speaking after the heart-stopping clash, the Fox Footy pundits were full of praise for Rohan, with Melbourne great Gary Lyon even describing the match as “one of the greatest games of footy” he’s ever seen.
“He was under pressure during the week and Chris Scott I thought as a coach supporting his player handled it absolutely perfectly. He played them on a break,” St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt said.
Scott rubbishes Rohan finals criticism
“The performance from Gary Rohan tonight – it wasn’t just that last moment, it was a big, complete game from a small forward in a forward line that just didn’t function outside of Jeremy Cameron keeping them in it early.
“So to go out, to take the clunk. It was a big, hard, strong mark … It was unbelievable.”
“It looked like Wayne Carey,” Lions legend Jonathan Brown added.
Stars exchange remarkable goals
Rohan finished with three goals, 14 disposals and the key goal assist on the Holmes game-winner.
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