Above right: Ellinbank forward Jason Hill takes a strong mark under pressure from Longwarry defender James Brown during Saturday’s elimination final at Buln Buln.By Ken Moore
LONGWARRY’S late charge towards a grand final berth gathered further momentum when it swept aside Ellinbank by 72 points in last Saturday’s second elimination final.
Kicking with the aid of a four to fivegoal wind, Ellinbank had more possession early but it was Longwarry who scored the first goal when Glen Browney found space and converted from 40 metres.
The Bankers replied instantly with a goal by Jason Harwood after a strong mark and rover Brett Kahan followed with another as the Bankers started to settle into their stride.
Midway through the quarter speedster Blair Weller brought the Crows supporters to life when he threaded home a goal from an acute angle, but it was Ellinbank who controlled proceedings for the remainder of the quarter and with majors by John Reid and Bill Harvey the Bankers went into the first change with a 14point lead.
Kahan, wingman Luke Bond, who was involved in an absorbing duel with Weller, and Harwood, who was in an equally terrific tussle with Damien Wigfield, were the better players for the Bankers.
With desperate defence led by Ken Towt the Crows curbed Ellinbank against the wind and would have been pleased with their first quarter.
It was a torrid first term with plenty of tight checking, strong bumps and tackles typical of a finals contest.
In the second term tight defence by Ellinbank held Longwarry at bay until the 10minute mark when Glen Browney hauled in a well judged mark and goaled.
With classy snaps by Tye Holland and James Brown the Crows shot to the lead midway through the term and after Blair Weller extricated himself from heavy traffic to post his second teamlifting major the Crows at the halftime break had a 16point advantage.
Longwarry hard man and assistant coach Grant McDonald provided a good target at centre halfforward and its midfield and forward specialists Holland, Matt Campbell, Ben Garrity and Weller all won heaps of possessions and used them effectively.
Ellinbank defenders Peter Joyce, Kristian Bingham and Neale Parke repelled many attacks during the first half and Kahan, Toby Wallace and Bond instigated the better of its forward thrusts.
The game sprang to life in the third quarter when hardworking utility Reid scored successive goals within minutes of the start to put the Bankers right back in the contest but Longwarry lifted, applied plenty of pressure and refused to let the Bankers create any further forward opportunities for the rest of the term.
The turning point occurred midway through the term when Grant McDonald pulled in a good mark and dished off a handball to Mark Light, who duly converted to give the Crows an eight point lead and breathing space entering the last break.
Browney set Longwarry alight in the last term with two immediate goals to put the game out of Ellinbank’s reach and this set the tone for the quarter.
Browney went on to add another three to finish with eight for the game as the Crows toyed with their opponents in the later stages.
The Crows flexed their muscles and sent an ominous warning to Catani and Nyora, scoring 10 unanswered goals to make a statement that it thoroughly deserved the third spot on the ladder.
Longwarry again showed plenty of grit, team spirit and a willingness to work hard when it did not have the ball.
The Crows dominated the midfield with Holland and Campbell rampant.
The support brigade of Weller, Wells, Brown, Serong, Garrity and Light all chimed in to make valuable contributions.
Grant McDonald at centre halfforward presented a target all game and Towt at centre halfback was almost impassable.
Browney was outstanding with his fast leads and accurate kicking and is going through a purple patch having now scored 28 goals in the last month.
Wigfield, Leigh McDonald, Glenn Pask and Brent McQualter went about their work in defence without fuss.
Mick Bourke and Travis Proctor shared ruck duties and both did well forcing the ball forward and playing one kick behind play all game.
“After some firsthalf jitters we played good consistent football and it was a great team effort,” said Longwarry assistant coach Grant McDonald after the march.
Apart from two good 10minute spells at the end of first quarter and the start of the second and five minutes at the start of third quarter, the Bankers’ intensity was found wanting and its field kicking left a lot to be desired.
Reid was the best player and when moved forward scored three goals to keep the Bankers in game.
Wallace, Kahan, Bond and defenders Park and Cameron never let up.
Ellinbank badly missed its high leaping ruckman David King, who injured his hamstring in the second term and took no further part.
“We were not at our best and played chasey all match, but to Longwarry’s credit they were more determined and deserved to win,” said Ellinbank captaincoach Jason Hill.
While Nyora and Catani have clearly been the best sides this season, Longwarry is playing good football at the right time and can not be underestimated.
