By Ken Moore
POOWONG wriggled out of a tight spot with four unanswered last-quarter goals to pip Lang Lang by two points on Sunday.
In a game crammed with errors due to shocking wind conditions, it was the Magpies’ first victory for the season and keeps them in the hunt for a high ladder spot.
The Tigers looked on track for victory for three and a half quarters and can consider themselves desperately unlucky.
After trailing by 27 points at the last change the Magpies used the ball with far more purpose and efficiency than they did in the second quarter when kicking with the aid of the breeze.
A snap on goal by busy rover Ryan Fitzgerald, who was a star throughout the game, saw the Pies hit the front with only five minutes to go and they did not relinquish the lead thereafter.
Midfielder Jared Attenborough picked up big numbers, 16-year-old Ben Hancock instigated a number of telling forward moves and Korumburra recruit Mitch Cochrane made a big impact at both ends of the field.
The Tigers were well served through the middle by Hadley Tomamichel, Jake Dwyer and Adam Baxter, new forward recruit Luke Muirhead presented well and in defence Stuart Casey put his body on the line as usual.
When kicking into the wind, in the second and fourth quarters, Lang Lang failed to register a score and could only work the ball inside its attacking 50-metre zone four times.
The Goon crushes
Lyrebirds
NAR Nar Goon crushed Buln Buln by 91 points.
The Goon held a comfortable 27-point lead at the main break and got a move on after half-time, notching six unanswered goals in the latter part of the third quarter to take a 64-point lead into the last change.
Finishing the far stronger, Nar Nar Goon extended its lead in the last quarter.
In a good team effort, lightly built forward Brodie Howe was a jack in the box, steering through five majors, Matt Slattery and Josh Hodson showed good ability to escape from their opponents and offer drive.
Likewise experienced tall Nathan Jones prowled all over the field and won plenty of important disposals.
Ben Scanlon had an excellent first half and Brent Hughes bobbed up on a regular basis, made clever use of the ball and displayed his usual grit.
Buln Buln midfielder Matt Nooy won many possessions and was well supported by ruckman Craig Kennedy.
Warragul recruit Brenton Sheehan, along with former Longwarry strongman Grant McDonald, gave it their all.
It was another disappointing performance by the Lyrebirds that suggests it will not be a finals contender again this season.
Dusties bust the Bankers
ELLINBANK had another day to forget, losing by 81 points.
The Industrials opened up a 30-point lead at the first break and increased it over the second and third quarters before the Bankers saved some face with three last-term goals to outscore the Dusties.
Narre Warren recruit Shane Brewster was a stand-out through the middle for the winners, his former Magpie teammate Manny Peresso and Jason Kennedy generated plenty of attack from their wing positions, captain Matt Willis was solid in defence and Mick Santo capped off a fine game with five goals.
For the Bankers, coach Jeremy Reid hauled in a number of strong grabs and repelled many attacks at centre half-back, Mark and Ricky Johnson, along with Steven Ballingall, never threw in the towel – however the result was not in doubt beyond quarter time.
Bombers flatten Cats
NILMA-DARNUM smashed Neerim Neerim South by 103 points.
Former AFL star Mal Michael dominated all over the ground and stood apart from all others with his ability to find the ball and use it well in the trying, windy conditions.
Chris Aurish and Harley Lacunes did well across half-back, Shane Youngman won plenty of the ball midfield and Kael Bergles showed his usual class to slot through six goals.
For the Cats, Chris Urie and Tyssen Morrow won a heap of possessions, while Daniel Sheehan, Ryan Muir and Cam Hinkley all made their presence felt.
The young Cats barely resembled the team that pushed Cora Lynn for three and a half quarters in round two and couldn’t find a path to goal.
Cobras sink Saints
CORA LYNN had a straightforward win over Nyora by 125 points.
Kicking with the wind in the second term, the reigning premiers blew their recent foes away with a barnstorming 11-goal-to-nil rampage to take a stranglehold on the game.
It is now fair to say that decimated by departures over summer, the Saints are no longer one of the league’s benchmarks.
For the Cobras, Cranbourne recruit Ryan Davey had a field day, picking up more than 45 possessions, Brad Horazcko shouldered the ruck duties and gave the visitors plenty of drive over all four quarters and Brendan Kimber and Luke Christopher were both chief playmakers.
Adam Tagliaferro had a crack for the Saints, as did Matt Hutchinson, while Brad Francis, in his first game for the season, did well on Ryan Donaldson, who just played a little over two quarters and appeared to be being rested for this week’s big clash against Nilma-Darnum.
