Buln Buln coach and star player Brent Eastwell grabs the ball and looks to dish it off during a hectic passage of play on the weekend.By Ken Moore
BUNYIP got a reminder how well it needs to play to mix it with the two ladder leaders after it lost by 17 points to Catani. The Blues wrested control of the game with a devastating 12goal third term to suggest that they were working towards their best. They then had to hold off a spirited lastquarter revival when the Bulldogs produced seven goals to nil.
Bunyip’s last half encapsulated its season sometimes brilliant, sometimes poor. Brad Walker amassed many possessions, ruckman Shane Mumford toiled hard, Dean O’Brien was a constant threat up forward and at the other end Adrian Bray did well to hold Brett Mounsey to only two majors. For Catani Paul Wiffin, Josh Tymensen and Peter Atkinson were the midfield linchpins, Nathan Ruskin and Shane Fitzpatrick provided stout defence and Owen Fitzpatrick kicked four goals. Facing upcoming games against a revitalised NeerimNeerim South, Buln Buln and Kooweerup, Bunyip now looks as though it will struggle to make the top six.
Nyora goes from strength to strength and this week comfortably accounted for Nar Nar Goon by 76 points. Ace forward Nathan Osler notched eight goals and is well on target for 100, given the Saints will play at least another five games this season.
Brad Francis hauled in 14 marks to be the cornerstone of the defence. Matt Hutchinson provided the highlight of the game when he pulled in a brilliant mark and dobbed a goal from more than 60 metres off one step. Ben Hallas was a constant menace around the packs. For Nar Nar Goon Clint Sheedy cut a lone figure up forward with seven goals, Pat Delosa acquitted himself well in the ruck, 18yearold onballer Lucas Thomas showed promise and Liam Linley and Simon Sweeney never threw in the towel.
Kooweerup served notice of a return to its earlyseason form when it thrashed Cora Lynn by 118 points. The Demons blew the Cobras away with a nine goals in the first quarter and eight in the second. Rhys Morgan underlined his value with six goals and had a handy ally in Brett Hobson, who bagged five. Hulking ruckmancumforward Adam Biszko scored three goals and was the best big man on the ground by a mile and Ross Morgan provided the early spark. Cora Lynn conjured seven thirdquarter goals to add a bit of respectability to the scoreboard. The Cobras were well served by Chad Ingram and Cam Miller and Travis Boucher provided good drive out of defence. Jeremy Duiker made his presence felt across the forward line and received strong support from Cam Haynes in the second half. It was a reality check for Cora Lynn which had made good inroads over the past month.
NeerimNeerim South delivered Lang Lang a 78point thrashing. After trailing by a point at half time the Cats proved unstoppable in the third quarter, ramming on 11 goals to seal the game. Paul Whelan was at his damaging best through the middle and had two fine cohorts in Keane Bannister and Justin Cant. Richie Christian, Jack Halliganand Chris Urie provided greatforward targets and Heath Strating, Ryan Muir and Gabe Marsden constantly broke through the lines. Lang Lang’s best were its midsized specialists Adam Baxter, Blake Batt and Dwayne Doig and key defender Brad Michie played an assured game despite being under siege in the second half. Lang Lang has well over half of its senior lineup missing and will be using the rest of the season to blood youngsters in preparation for next year.
Ellinbank took until the last quarter to overcome a sprightly Poowong by 31 points.
Bankers forward Billy Harvey was the difference between the sides, Neil Park offered plenty in defence and ruckman David King and utility John Read were involved in a good deal of the action. Two goals down at threequarter time, Poowong was eyeing an upset but could not match its more experienced and polished opponents when it counted. Dean Motton, Mark Huthison and Ron Healy all played well and Trevor Hooker bobbed up with four majors. Again Poowong gave supporters cause for optimism.
Warragul Industrials battled hard to see off NilmaDarnum by 18 points. The Dusties took until midway through the last term to have the game safely in their keeping. Midfielder and assistant coach Matt Adams played an inspired game and captaincoach Paul Rust with four goals in the last quarter were instrumental in steering Industrials home. Scott Frances did well to keep Mick Santo quiet and Mark Davey was lively around the goalmouth. NilmaDarnum’s best included captaincoach Adrian Carr, rugged utility Peter Davenport and Gippsland Power’s Ben Hughes, who helped himself to three goals.
Longwarry drew away from Buln Buln in the closing minutes to win by 15 points. Neither side let up all day or shunned physical contests in what was one of the most enthralling games of the season. Longwarry’s East Brighton recruit Matt Campbell scored three goals and set himself apart from others on the field with his constructive use of the ball in heavy traffic in a good team effort by the Crows. Longwarry’s defence of Glen Pask and Damien Wigfield held firm all day and Paul Williams was good at setting up attack from defence all game. Buln Buln can consider themselves unlucky as they had enough of the ball to win but simply could not find an avenue to goal. Brent Eastwell ran himself ragged again and received good support from Matt Savage, Luke Nobelius, Tim Milner and ruckman Matt Gray. Brad Peters and Paul Pratt showed they were made of stern stuff in defence. Despite being fourth on the ladder before round 14, Buln Buln is now no certainty to make the top six. After this week’s game against Poowong the Lyrebirds have a hard road against Bunyip in round 17 and Ellinbank in round 18 to finish the homeandaway season.
