![Holbrook's Adam Cruikshank gets a kick away as Osborne's Oliver McAlister applies the pressure. Picture by Tara Trewhella Holbrook's Adam Cruikshank gets a kick away as Osborne's Oliver McAlister applies the pressure. Picture by Tara Trewhella](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/asdkjfewiKKD/a90c4e89-bab1-4458-82ba-d7565fd504c0.jpg/r0_265_5184_3191_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Holbrook produced a stirring 16-point come-from-behind victory against raging flag favourite Osborne at Holbrook on Saturday.
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The previously undefeated Tigers looked likely to notch their 14th straight victory after they had booted five goals to two during the third term to establish a 10-point lead at the final break.
But a stunning five goal to one final term by the Brookers helped clinch a famous victory as they prevailed 13.12 (90) to 11.8 (74) in the match of the season so far.
The scarcely believable comeback by the Brookers made a mockery of the theory that this year's premiership cup already had Osborne engraved on it.
Holbrook coach Matt Sharp was shaking his head in disbelief at the never-say-die attitude of his playing group.
"It doesn't get much better than that during the home and away season," Sharp said.
"Osborne had all the momentum heading into the final term but we were able to hang tough as fatigue started to kick in.
"I thought we made some smart decisions when we had possession and our pressure has gone through the roof over the past three weeks.
"We have had a huge three weeks and it's something like 240 tackles during that time.
"Our KPI's don't lie and one of the major reasons we are able to get a result like this."
![Osborne coach Joel Mackie had a good battle with Brooker star Raven Jolliffe in the midfield. Picture by Tara Trewhella Osborne coach Joel Mackie had a good battle with Brooker star Raven Jolliffe in the midfield. Picture by Tara Trewhella](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/asdkjfewiKKD/9c6ca005-398a-473d-8a0c-fb70021a3456.jpg/r0_265_5184_3191_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The Brookers got off to a fast start after Andrew Mackinlay booted the first two goals of the match in the opening five minutes.
Star recruit Raven Jolliffe slotted a third major for the Brookers before Osborne hit back through goals to Declan Galvin, coach Joel Mackie and midfielder Matt McGrory.
The home side led by a point at the first change and were able to extend their lead to 10-points at the main break.
Ben Parker booted the opening goal of the third term to extend the Brookers' lead to 15-points before Osborne wrestled back the momentum.
Ryan Collins slashed the margin to nine points before goals to Connor Galvin and McGrory put the visitors in front for the first time in the match.
Some undisciplined play from the Brookers resulted in a 50m penalty and an easy goal to Marty Bahr before Galvin kicked his third to hand the Tigers an 18-point lead.
Fletcher Parker goalled for the Brookers late in the term to reduce the margin to 10-points.
With the match up for grabs Ben Parker got the all-important first goal of the final term after taking a diving mark.
![Osborne's Hugh Schmetzer and Jayden Hucker contest a centre bounce. Picture by Tara Trewhella Osborne's Hugh Schmetzer and Jayden Hucker contest a centre bounce. Picture by Tara Trewhella](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/asdkjfewiKKD/dd90f85d-968e-412b-b478-6f4d6d53bc5d.jpg/r0_265_5184_3191_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Mackinlay soccered a goal from the square shortly afterwards before Andy Wettenhall produced a clever snap and suddenly the Brookers were 11-points in front.
Mackinlay then booted his fourth to extend the margin to 17-points to have the Tigers on the ropes.
Tiger Andrew Smith gave the visitors a sniff when he kicked a running goal and their only major of the term to get his side within two goals at the 17-minute mark.
But it was that man Mackinlay who landed the knockout blow with his fifth goal to a huge roar of delight from the massive and vocal Brookers crowd.
The Brookers' pressure and intensity during the last term was like kryptonite to a super side that had won the previous 48 out of 49 matches under Mackie.
![Star recruit Raven Jolliffe was in terrific touch for Holbrook. Picture by Tara Trewhella Star recruit Raven Jolliffe was in terrific touch for Holbrook. Picture by Tara Trewhella](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/asdkjfewiKKD/fb23144d-3123-4582-b292-b9e0e6afad79.jpg/r0_265_5184_3191_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
It was also reminiscent of last year's decider where the Brookers piled on seven goals to two in the final term to stun their more fancied opponents and snatch a famous grand final victory.
"The belief within this group is amazing and just proves last year's grand final win was no fluke," Sharp said.
"I feel last year we had the momentum at the last break in the grand final while today they did after kicking five goals to two in the third-term.
"Both sides had some key outs but whoever comes into our side plays their role which is one of the strengths of this great club.
"There is no whining or sooking and everybody puts in the hard yards at training during the week.
![Andrew Mackinlay was the most damaging forward on the ground with five goals. Picture by Tara Trewhella Andrew Mackinlay was the most damaging forward on the ground with five goals. Picture by Tara Trewhella](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/asdkjfewiKKD/ceeaeca3-72e4-4256-9758-5fe755ebae82.jpg/r0_265_5184_3191_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"I pinned my faith in a few kids today who came into the side who were able to apply some perceived pressure on the opposition with their leg speed.
"We pride ourselves on our fitness and were able to run the game right out."
Adding further merit to the win, the Brookers went into the clash without key forwards Luke Gestier and Logan Hamilton alongside Michael Rampal and Jayden Beaumont.
The Tigers also had both their key forwards missing in Hayden Armstrong and George Alexander.
ALSO IN SPORT
They were also without ruckman Dan Madden, reliable defender Sam Livingstone and Sam Rutland.
Unheralded defender Nick Locke was the Brookers best ahead of Jolliffe who had an absorbing battle with both Mackie and Connor Galvin in the midfield.
Mackie and Jolliffe tangled on more than a few occasions with either of the former O&M stars prepared to give an inch.
Midfielder Brad Carman and ruck Jayden Hucker were also pivotal in the win while Mackinlay's five goal haul was priceless.
Martin Bahr, Daniel O'Connell, Harrison Miller and Connor Galvin with three classy goals were all solid contributors for the Tigers.
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