EDFL round 18 review

By Ken Moore
FOUR teams were in danger of losing their finals spots entering the last homeandaway round, but at its conclusion the top six remained unchanged.
This scenario came about as a result of Catani’s defeat of Warragul Industrials, which put paid to the Dusties’ season, and a drawn game between Buln Buln and Ellinbank. Kooweerup was knocked off by Bunyip and slipped to fourth but remained to fight another day.
Bunyip’s clash with Kooweerup ebbed and flowed for three quarters before the Bulldogs pulled away midway through the last term. Bunyip’s victory was remarkable for, due to late withdrawals, it ran on to the ground with only 16 players, started the game with only 17 on the field and had to draw on three reserves players to make up its interchange bench. Midfielders Brad Walker, Sam Proctor and Phil Solohub played a big role and Dean Forsythe, in only his third game, chimed in with three goals. Kooweerup’s best included small forward Mark Frenken, who notched five goals, and its running defenders Ben Miller, Rod Hoober and Brent Ellett. Adam Biszko did well in the ruck and his brother Simon performed handily despite being overshadowed by Daniel Hagen.
Ellinbank swooped late to steal a draw with Buln Buln after Jason Harwood goaled with only two minutes left on the clock. The Lyrebirds looked on course for victory when they led by four goals approaching the last break, but the Bankers dug deep in the last quarter, as has been their habit this season. Ruckman David King had a fantastic duel with Matthew Gray and each provided impetus for their respective teams. Luke Bond and John Reid were prominent and David Quirk was good at setting up play from the halfback line. Brent Eastwell was at his mercurial best, picking up possessions at will, and Shane Tyler and Anthony Baker were both lively.
Longwarry capped off a good month of football when it defeated Cora Lynn by 36 points. Luke Serong scouted the packs well to bag six goals and Glen Browney’s rich vein of form continued with five majors. The dual ruck attack of Mick Bourke and Travis Proctor generated plenty of drive and this allowed Scott McQualter to play as a permanent full forward and the coach did not let his teammates down, posting four goals. Tye Holland and Matt Campbell were busy though the middle and Leigh McDonald was a pillar of strength in defence. Cora Lynn was jumped early but did not concede any ground after quartertime, thanks to its threepronged attack of Jeremy Duiker, Paul Fabris and Cameron Haynes, who all posed difficulty for the Crows’ defence. Coach Troy Harris was at his bustling best through the middle. Cora Lynn can take heart that it finished the season well and appeared to be in a position to made good strides next season.
Nar Nar Goon finished the season on a bright note and sealed the league’s club championship when it dispensed with Lang Lang by 58 points. The Goon’s victory was largely due to drive from Jarrod McMullen, ruckman Liam Linley and utility Blair Lidstone. Ged Dore provided stout defence and sharpshooter Clint Sheedy scored six goals straight to make it an incredible 28 in a row now without a miss. Scott Murphy notched four goals and youngster Spencer Noonan troubled the Tigers’ defence with his ability to carry the ball. Lang Lang were well in the game at the main break but tapered off in the second half. Ruckman Kurt Batt and centreman Adam Baxter both came under notice and the backs, led by Brett Hameeteman, John Simpson and Brad Wallace, showed defensive prowess when under pressure.
Nyora posted the highest score for the season and made light work of NilmaDarnum, pummelling the Bombers by 205 points. John Allsop tormented the NilmaDarnum defence with 14 goals, not surprisingly a season record. Dean Alger capped off the good work upfield, helping himself to nine majors, and Nathan Osler had a rather subdued game by his standards with four goals. NilmaDarnum was listless and undisciplined and let Nyora pile on 20 goals in the second half. It was a sad and sorry end to the season for a team that seriously threatened to make the top six early in the season.
NeerimNeerim South overturned a 13point halftime deficit to score a 23point victory over Poowong. Poowong was gallant in defeat and unlucky not to be closer, as it hit the post three times in a row in the last quarter. Powerhouse forward and captaincoach Paul Whelan saved his best for last and scored 11 goals from only 11 kicks. Whelan had plentiful supply from rover Heath Strating, wingman Ryan Muir, Gabe Marsden and Jack Halligan. Drew Johnston, Andrew Herd and Damian Rhind offered the defensive resistance. Poowong’s momentum revolved around Glen Attenborough, Adam Miller, Chris Wilson, Jeremy Alblas and Clint Newcombe.
Catani squashed Warragul Industrials’ finals aspirations when it inflicted a 42point defeat on the Dusties. The Industrials started with intent and skipped two goals clear midway through the first term before the Catani midfield machine, led by its captaincoach Paul Alger, Shane Warren, Luke McFarlane, Josh Tymensen and Ben Maroney, went into to over drive. Chris Maclean and Nathan Ruskin provided resistance down back as the Blues tuned up for the finals. The Industrials held their own after halftime and could have been closer if not for poor conversion.
Defender Peter McKenna affected many telling spoils and Scott Francis took many telling marks in defence. Rob Hefford and Shane Ingham never let up in the midfield and Dave Bracken and Leon Duncan made their presence felt across the forward line.
The Industrials badly missed captaincoach Paul Rust, who was sidelined, and they can consider themselves unlucky to miss the finals after a much improved, more consistent season.