By Ken Moore
KOOWEERUP was made to fight nearly all the way by Nar Nar Goon before it ran out a 46point winner to retain its hold on sixth position.
Rhys Morgan proved the difference between the sides with three vital second half goals and got strong support from Peter Doll, Scott Morrison, Chris Stanley and Gavin Marusic. Luke Hamilton showed he was growing in stature as a key defender with another fine performance. For the Goon, Phil Hicks was a driving force from the wing, pintsized centreman Jason Rantall burrowed in all match and Matt Wade and Luke Dore did plenty of good work in close and fed the ball out well around the packs.
A sevengoal last quarter by Kooweerup did not do justice to the closeness of the contest and there were promising signs for the young Goon outfit.
Nyora inflicted a 77point defeat on Poowong. Midfield drive from the Hislop brothers, Dean, Glen and Brendan, set the Saints alight in a 14goal first half to take a commanding 72point lead at the main break. Nyora’s free scoring dried up in the second half as a result of steady rain and resolute defence by Poowong. For the second consecutive week wingman Ben Hallas offered plenty of drive and had allies in 17yearold Leongatha onball recruit Jeremy Hopkins and debutante Dylan Bracebridge, who made handy contributions from the halfforward flank.
Poowong suffered a blow early when Rohan Best, having already scored a goal, left the field just 10 minutes into the game with a recurrence of the hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined in recent weeks. Luke James and Gary Miller regularly pumped the Magpies into attack and Gavin Notman, in a tagging role on Rory Gilliatte in the first half and from the wing in the second half, was prominent. Against the odds, Mark Hutchinson and Dave Miller battled hard in defence.
A ninegoal haul by Longwarry’s Glenn Browney paved the way for a 139point victory over NilmaDarnum. Crow goal sneaks Luke Serong and Paul Williams chimed in with five goals apiece and again the versatile Jason Voumard, who is looming as one of the recruits of the season, was in a great deal of the action all over the field.
Having not scored a major in the first half, NilmaDarnum came out strongly in the third quarter and scored three goals to save face with Scott Blaney, Daniel Flynn and Robert McGregor all putting in assured displays.
Lang Lang had a confidencebuilding 27point victory over Warragul Industrials. After a jittery start, the Tigers stepped up a gear to hit the front in the second quarter and was never headed for the rest of the game. Adam Dwyer was at his ballgetting best and had strong midfield support from Brett Hameeteman, Adam Baxter and John Simpson. Centre halfback Nathan Jagoe generated plenty of drive from defence and Kurt Batt enjoyed a productive game with three goals.
The win lifted Lang Lang into 11th place and above the Dusties on the ladder. For the Dusties the reliable Dave Bracken, David Willis and ruckman Gerard Bongiorno all tried hard and made their presence felt. Warragul appeared to be treading water, having only chalked up the victory over NilmaDarnum since its roundthree win over Buln Buln.
Bunyip sealed an impressive 98point victory over Buln Buln. The Bulldogs took until six minutes into the second quarter to hit the lead but from that point went on a goal rampage, notching 12 consecutive majors to blow the Lyrebirds away.
Aaron Jones was far too strong in front of the big sticks and scored seven goals, but it would have been at least a dozen if he had kicked straight and held his marks. Jake Ablett gave a good account of himself in the ruck, replacing Shane Mumford, who was sidelined.
Troy Kneebone came under notice in the centre and halfbacks Sam Proctor and Andrew Hobday were at there neversaydie best. Bunyip’s performance gave yet another indication that it could well be a force to be reckoned with if it can get all its players back on the park. For Buln Buln, Brent Eastwell ran himself ragged and ruckman Brad Peters won plenty of the ball and covered good ground. Joel Ferguson and Dave Wirral offered rebound off the halfback line and Dan Bramstedt got plenty of the ball around the halfforward flank.
Ellinbank kept its finals prospects alive after it scrapped home by four points over NeerimNeerim South. The Cats jumped the Eagles with five first quarter goals before Ellinbank lifted and worked it way back into the game.
The Bankers hit the front in the third quarter with a goal on the run by assistant coach David Quirk and went on to build a 14point lead. The Cats clawed their way back in the last quarter, only to fall four points short of what would have been their third consecutive victory.
Utility Luke Bond pulled in many strong marks and regularly propelled the ball into attack, Neil Parke was rocksolid in defence and Ash Wallace was in the thick of things in a looseman role, propping up the Eagle defence. For the Cats, ruckman Keane Bannister won plenty of touches, Danny Sheehan set up many attacks from centrefield, Richie Christian was the pick of the Cats forwards and Gabe Marsden read play well down back.
