Ellinbank and District Football League – grand final day

IT was a huge day and a winner for EDFL football at Cora Lynn on Saturday culminating in Nilma-Darnum winning its first senior flag since 1959 after defeating Cora Lynn by 35 points.
The game was played in wind-marred conditions and in front of a massive crowd that yielded more than $39,000 at the gate.
The result was also a big money spinner for Bomber president Andrew Patterson.
He backed his team to win the premiership for a return of well over $100,000 pre-season with a Darwin bookmaker, which was primarily a gamble to pay for their new signings over summer.
The Bombers rise from 13th last year was due to an extensive recruiting drive over summer that lured more than 20 new signings to the club led by former AFL star Mal Michael and five top Sale 2008 premiership players.
The Cora Lynn Football Club did a tremendous job off field hosting the day, but on field had a disappointing afternoon also losing the reserves – upset by Nar Nar Goon that captured the flag after coming through from the elimination final.
In a high standard thirds contest Bunyip triumphed over a gallant Longwarry by 11 points.
It was the first time the Bulldogs won the flag in the under-18s in five attempts over the past six years.
It was a mixed day for Nar Nar Goon that lost in a thriller by four points in the fourths to Neerim Neerim South.
In the fifths, Kooweerup preserved its undefeated record all season with a resounding 47-point victory over Catani.