Kooweerup ruckman Matt Cameron helped his Demons to an upset win over Poowong on Saturday. 19799 By Ken Moore
KOOWEERUP pulled off the upset of the 2009 Ellinbank and District Football League opening round when it downed Poowong by 24 points on Saturday.
The game was in the balance until the 20-minute mark of the last quarter when former coach Dan Crowley slotted home his fourth goal to give the Demons some much-needed breathing space.
The Magpies racked up 25 scoring shots to the Demons 19, but it was the more clinical finishing by the home side that made the difference.
For all bar the final six minutes, when Kooweerup rammed on three unanswered goals, less than nine points separated the two teams.
Centre half-back Ben Miller thwarted many attacks, was a springboard into attack and was given tremendous support by fellow backmen Craig Dyker and Luke Morrison.
Rhys Morgan was at his feisty best through the middle and ruckman Matt Cameron put in his usual stout-hearted effort.
Under new Kooweerup coach Paul Williams, the Demons showed good commitment to team principles and their performance suggested they would take a few steps forward this season.
For Poowong, Dave and Adam Miller shored up its defence, Korumburra recruit and rover Beau Anthony won his fair share of kicks and ruck-rover Matt Grant won plenty hard-ball gets.
Half-back Michael Rafferty was prominent and young debutants Ben Hancock and Jack Lancaster both showed they were top prospects.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:The Goon buries Bunyip
Nar Nar Goon inflicted a 60-point defeat upon Bunyip.
After an even first half the Goon surged clear with six unanswered goals in the opening 15 minutes of the third term to take control.
The Bulldogs rallied late in the third quarter to whittle the lead down to only 21 points, but couldn’t withstand a strong finish by the home side.
Nar Nar Goon debutant Nick Mulcahy proved a surprise packet, bagging four second-half goals after he was introduced off the interchange bench at half-time.
Ruckman Brad Jones offered plenty of drive and was the catalyst behind the Goon’s third-quarter ascendancy.
His brother Chris provided a good target across the forward line and Matt Wade gathered well over 30 possessions.
In the midfield, Matt Slattery and Doveton recruits Matt Stocco and Tom Hallinan all did a number of important things.
Bunyip’s star Doveton recruit Ryan Brown made an impressive debut, guiding through six goals.
Defenders Leigh Carmody, Marc Jolley and Jack Fitzgerald stuck to their task all game, ruck-rover Michael Whyte won many disposals, wingman Brendan Chapman and Doveton recruit Jackson Harris also did well.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Longwarry busts the Bankers
Longwarry crushed a hapless Ellinbank by 103 points.
After a quiet start, high-profile Berwick recruit George Gorozidis got better as the game progressed and finished with seven majors.
Another newcomer, Alfie Ablett, who played football with Western Australia team the Northern Railways last season, rushed in where others feared to tread and looks to be a top-notch addition.
Through the middle, Tye Holland and Beau Ridgeway picked up regular touches, Garfield recruit Beau Runnalls with four goals was lively around the big sticks and Catani recruit and ruckman Luke Tymensen acquitted himself well.
For the Bankers, Josh Peterson was always in the thick of the midfield action; Adrian Burns kept a tight rein on Gorozidis early, ruckman Rick Johnston contested strongly and on-ballers Steve Ballingall and Mark Johnston strived hard.
Under pressure Ellinbank coughed up the ball far too often.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Bombers blast Buln Buln
A new-look Nilma-Darnum got tongues wagging after it obliterated Buln Buln by 146 points.
The Bombers’ marquee recruit and former Brisbane triple premiership player Mal Michael, who played in the AFL with Essendon last season, booted two goals inside the first four minutes of the game and went on to record four.
The focus on Michael freed up Kael Bergles, who showed his wizardry to nail eight goals.
Against the breeze in the second term the Darnos went into overdrive, piling on nine unanswered goals to take a stranglehold on the four match points.
Seaford recruit Steve Straughair anchored the last line of defence and was widely acclaimed best-on-ground, while Rhett O’Hara, Alan Chandler and Morwell recruit Michael Mooney all figured prominently around the packs.
The Bombers’ five high-profile Sale recruits were all serviceable without being outstanding.
By the sheer size of the win, Nilma looks bound for a big season.
As on many occasions last season, Buln Buln disappointed.
Lyrebird midfielders Matt Nooy and Che Jenkins cropped up with plenty of the ball, half-back Matt Pollard and half-forward Daniel Johnson earned their keep and defender Michael White did well in the face of the onslaught.
Rick Mitchard kept close tabs on Michael all game and ruckman Craig Kennedy got his hands on the ball regularly.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Cats get dusted
There were plenty of happy faces amongst Dusties supporters at Western Park on Sunday evening after last season’s cellar-dwellers, Warragul Industrials, defeated Neerim Neerim South by 36 points to win its first senior game since round eight in 2007.
The Dusties started with intent, kicking the first four goals of the game to race to a 24-point advantage before Neerim lifted and turned the match into a genuine contest.
Midway through the third term, the Cats trimmed the margin back to16 points before the Dusties answered the challenge.
Narre Warren recruit Dan Brewster lined up at centre half-forward and ignited the Industrials early and with crucial goals in the third and fourth quarters was the most influential player on the ground.
Midfield Jason Kennedy, Cam Hardy, Chris La Rosa and Nick Visser all did well, while Ariki Matwijlkiw chimed in with two vital second-quarter majors and Jamie West provided plenty of resolute defence.
For Neerim, Chris Urie, back from VFL team Geelong, won plenty of the ball, but often under pressure could not exert his influence on play.
Across half-forward and through the middle Tyssen Morrow won plenty of the ball, Chris Redl presented well up forward, while Bonbeach recruit Cam Hinkley, Mick Urie and Ryan Muir all had a crack.
