Sheen takes shine from win

By Ken Moore
CORA Lynn romped home by 152 points over Nyora, but paid a heavy price as spearhead Darren Sheen sustained what could be a season-ending leg injury.
Sheen went off in the first quarter with what seemed to be an ankle injury, but did not return to the field after half-time.
The Cobras dominance was such that 13 players got their name on the goal tally sheet.
Rugged utility Brendan Kimber had field day – firstly a kick behind play and then through the middle after quarter time.
Veteran centre half-forward Shane Dwyer showed his exquisite skills all game and ruckman Brad Horaczko and midfielders Jack and Joe Allen and James Bradshaw were a driving force all game.
Now four points and 26 per cent ahead of third-placed Catani, Cora Lynn looks assured to secure second spot and with it a double chance, even if it does happen to drop the four match points on offer in its round-18 clash against the ladder leaders Nilma-Darnum.
Small forward Aiden Cumberland, defender Clinton Yapp, Matt Hutchinson at half-back and on-baller Corey Wilson were among the better players for the struggling Saints.
The Goon grinds on
IN a scrappy affair, Nar Nar Goon made heavy weather of things before putting away the lowly Buln Buln by 33 points on Saturday.
The Lyrebirds often got numbers behind the ball and in combination with some good tackling and harassing, the home side was able to bottle the play up and close down the space for the Goon runners to operate.
Little separated both sides until late in the third quarter when the Goon rattled on three unanswered goals to establish a 25-point lead at three-quarter time.
Wingman Dean Kelly played a good game before leaving the field after a heavy knock and when he returned to the action he bobbed up in attack and popped through four second-half goals to be the star of the match.
As usual, Matt Wade spent plenty of time with the ball in his hands, ruckman Nick Mulcahy and on-baller Ben Keane both put in a noteworthy effort.
Chris Jones played high across the forward line and gave his midfielders a passage to goal and also set up a few with some good marks and well-crafted moves.
For one of the first times this season, the Lyrebirds showed some sustained character.
Centreman Che Jenkins was busy, Grant McDonald presented well at centre half-forward and ruckman Craig Kennedy put his body in and won many tap-outs.
Ruck-rover Leigh McDonald added plenty of drive and half-backs Rhys Hall and Paul Pratt rebounded the ball on a regular basis.
Pie revival a winner
POOWONG recorded a 21-point victory over Lang Lang.
The Tigers led by five points at half-time and nine points until midway through the third quarter when the complexion of the game changed after Lang Lang star Kurt Batt was yellow carded for a comment directed at an umpire.
This incident precipitated a revival by Poowong and after capturing a 15-point advantage at three-quarter time, the home side held firm in the last term.
Jarred Attenborough, Ryan Fitzgerald and Beau Anthony provided the engine room for the Magpies, Gippsland Power ruckman Chris Wylie showed good aerial and ground skills and Dave Miller and Michael O’Rafferty put in honest efforts in defence.
Lang Lang was steeled by defender Jason Kelly and Clint Fulton, who was in good touch around the big sticks with four goals.
David Williams swept the ball out of defence many times and youngster Aaron Creasy made Poowong star Matt Grant work hard for all of his disposals.
Dusties’ delight
A best-on-ground performance by Warragul Industrials Shane Brewster paved the way for a 68-point victory over Ellinbank on Saturday. For three quarters the Bankers were well in the hunt, but an eight-goal-to-one last quarter by the Dusties reinforced their improvement this season.
Brewster underlined his value with more than 40 possessions, canny forward Ariki Matwijkiw bagged seven goals and Mick Santo four and these two forwards scored the Industrials first seven majors.
Adam Neal safeguarded the defence, ruckman Ben Hobgen was again prominent and Danny Brewster acquitted himself in an uncustomary half-back flank role.
For Ellinbank, Steven Ballingall played another fine game, used his body strength well in the packs and has emerged as a player to watch this season.
Andrew Quirk did well in the last line of defence, Mark Johnson tried hard to curb the influence of Shane Brewster and centre half-back and coach Jeremy Reid offered plenty of resistance.
As usual Peter Joyce and Neale Parke toiled hard in defence and wingman Andrew Gaul caught the eye on a number of occasions.
Unbeaten Bombers
FUELLED by a strong third quarter, Nilma-Darnum preserved its undefeated record with a hard-fought 33-point victory over Neerim Neerim South. The Cats took the game right up to the ladder leaders and only trailed by five points at half-time before the Bombers motored ahead to lead by 31 points at the last change. Classy youngster Rhett O’Hara showed plenty of courage and instigated a lot of run and carry centre field. Robert Quirk and Shane Morgan solidified the defence, Chris Aurisch put his big frame into the contests at both ends and Kane Martin oozed class all over the field. Kael Bergles and Allan Chandler were lively across the forward line, but both were off target all game, kicking only two goals and 13 behinds between them.