Nar Nar Goon playmaker Brendan By Ken Moore
CORA Lynn took the short route to the reserves grand final after it thrashed the minor premiers Catani by 61 points at Western Park in slippery conditions on Saturday.
When the Blues’ Cam Miller goaled at the start of the second quarter only seven points separated the sides but from that point on Cora Lynn turned on a wet weather football clinic.
Talented forward Chase Saunders had a day to remember, slotting through four second quarter goals and then the first two majors of the third term to make it six in a row in an outstanding display.
Rover Nick Helsby was active around the packs, ruckman John Veugelaars launched a number of telling attacks, Luke Christopher used his footy smarts well and won plenty of fifty-fifty contests and Tom Van Dieman held the Cobra defence together. Catani ruck rover John Boulding, forward Daniel Strahan, utility Cam Miller and ruckman Jeremy Alblas were the only Blues to distinguish themselves.
In the other reserves clash, Nar Nar Goon had a comfortable 41-point victory over Kooweerup.
The Goon jumped the Demons early and was always in control. The trio of Tim Ziegler, Brenton Cowell and Brenton Ellett provided plenty of drive from behind the centre, Steve Hobson played a pivotal role midfield, Tim Manning was lively with three early goals and Blair Lidstone reinforced the Goon defence. The better players for the Demons were midfielder Tom Carew, wingman Nathan Vanderheyden and back pocket Tim Worrall. Ruckman Paul Martin and on baller Neil Watson warrant a mention for their determination.
In the under 18s, Longwarry bundled out Buln Buln after it beat the Lyrebirds by 12 points thanks to a three-goal last quarter after only leading by a solitary point at three-quarter time.
League best and fairest Dylan Holland shone with three goals, key forward Dylan Serong starred and Jeb McLeod and Chris Karlis both put in notable efforts. Jack Schultz, James Harkness and Daniel Johnson all put in fine performances for the Lyrebirds.
Bunyip booked an under 18s grand final berth after it pummelled Nar Nar Goon by 61 points.
The Goon could only manage the one goal, scored by Damon Hansen in the first quarter. The Bulldogs midfield momentum was instigated by Pete Edwards, Harry O’Neil and half backs Ash Walker and Tim Edwards. Shane Smith, with four goals, was focal forward target and centre half back Brad Wolfe was rock solid all match.
Goon ruckman and Captain Tim Bastow tried hard to lift his team, back pocket Matt Damon and wingman Joey Murphy all put in notable efforts. Steve Pimm did well on Bulldog star Chris Chilcott and full back Jarryd Hendrikx contested strongly.
In the fourths, Nar Nar Goon and Neerim-Neerim South played out their second draw in four weeks in the second semi-final at Warragul on Saturday. The scores were tied up at the final siren, following a late goal from the pocket by Dalton Hoeksma, but the Goon dominated extra time to win by 11 points.
