By Ken Moore
ELLINBANK is still in the race to play in the finals after overcoming a 13-point three quarter time deficit to beat a dogged Kooweerup by six points.
With the scores level with just three minutes to go, a goal by Drouin recruit Brenton Lockhart, his second after being moved forward in the last term, snatched the lead for the visiting team, which held its nerve and kept its finals dream alive.
Banker half backs Andrew Quirk and Ash Wallace turned defence into attack many times, rover Nathan Paredes (three goals) found plenty of the ball and David Scott Smith, at centre half forward and in the ruck, made his presence felt. Tim Farthing and Neal Parke blocked many threatening attacks.
For Kooweerup, ruck rover Ryan Wilby (four goals) and Ben Miller (three goals) troubled the Eagles defence and Craig Dyker was the backbone of the Demons back half. Midfielders Rhys Morgan, Jack Carson and Max Longson pushed the ball forward on a regular basis and Ryan Anderson-Scott, in his first game, sourced some tidy possessions and put his hand up for more senior games.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:
Cora Lynn v Nyora
CORA Lynn brushed aside Nyora by 83 points.
The Saints were surprisingly competitive until mid way through the third quarter, when it only trailed by 15 points, before the visitors finished strongly, scoring 11 of the last 12 goals to go on and record a comfortable victory.
Michael Duiker provided plenty of pace and bite and drifted forward to kick four goals and had some willing partners led by Jack Allen, Nathan Gillis and Tim Payne, who pressed hard through the middle. Coach Brendan Kimber often streamed out of defence with the ball and always put it to good use, while Dan Harders dominated the ruck contests around the ground. Midfielder Adam Tagliaferro, wingman Michael O’Rafferty and half forward Corrie Wilson, latched onto plenty of the ball for the Saints.
Last line defender Clinton Yapp produced some timely interceptions, ruckman Peter Hicks and 16-year-old debutant Tim Burns boxed on well against their more accomplished opponents.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Nilma Darnum v Nar Nar Goon
NILMA Darnum copped a 134-point pounding at the hands of Nar Nar Goon.
The signs were good early for the Bombers, when it kicked the opening two goals, but they had little follow up and could only manage one more goal after quarter-time. Crafty Goon forward Luke McConnell dismantled the Darno’s defence, bagging eight goals and Clint Williams (five goals) was at his sure footed best. Ruckman Nigel Benn showed good aerial skills and Spencer Noonan and Joe Murphy initiated terrific drive off the half back line. Brent Hughes had a bustling midfield presence and Nick Henwood garnered plenty of the ball and used it thoughtfully at both ends of the field. For Nilma, who currently have around 10 senior players sidelined; it was left to captain Harley Lacunes, ruckman Johnny Ikupu and wingman Jade Jensen to provide the resistance. Daniel Vella did well to closely mark Goon goal predator Shannon Stocco and Andrew Fyffe was the liveliest of the Bomber forwards.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:
NeeriM NeeriM South v Catani
A BLISTERING 11-goal second quarter by Neerim Neerim South paved the way for a resounding 91-point win over a disappointing Catani. The Cats second term goal-spree turned the game that was level pegging on the scoreboard at quarter time, into a commanding 48-point lead at half time. Strong-bodied Cat Tyssen Morrow (eight goals) and Chris Urie (six goals) found themselves in the right places, while midfielder and up forward Leigh Sheehan used the ball constructively.
In the absence of its number one follower, Matt Young, Darren Ratten and Ryan Gillespie shouldered the ruck duties, and both put in combative efforts. Mick Urie showed he had recovered from a hand injury with an active game across the half forward line and first gamer Nathan Bayne gathered some effective disposals. Catani forward Owen Fitzpatrick (eight goals) proved a hard man to stop with his vice-like grip, hauling in a series of strong grabs. Captain Luke McFarlane played with his usual gusto and Jake Delphine and Nat Rodda spent plenty of time with the ball. Matt Jackson tried hard in defence and Anthony Galley, a newcomer from Cranbourne, gave his team good service.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:
Poowong v Lang Lang
POOWONG bowed out of finals contention after a 38 point home ground loss to Lang Lang. For the Tigers, Dean Brown showed good skill and judgment and is starting to return to his best form after missing two seasons of football due to internal injuries suffered in a car accident. Ruckman Ben Dwyer, Hadley Tomamichel and Dylan Mitchell played a major role in creating many scoring opportunities and Dan O’Hara fortified the defence. Poowong generated well over 20 inside fifties in the first half and trailed by 20 points at half time, before falling off the pace in the third term. Midfielder Ash Adams was the most effective Magpie. He often rolled forward, took some strong contested marks and also chimed in with four goals. Half back Troy Aust was never far away from the action and when moved forward by coach Brent Clinnick in the last quarter, displayed his versatility by netting three majors. In and around the midfield Daniel Watson was hard at the ball, his brother Ben caught the eye on debut and Gavin Notman put in another terrier-like performance in defence. Apart from an opening round victory over the eighth placed Ellinbank, Poowong has not beaten a side above it on the ladder.
