Here are the results from Round 1 for the Ellinbank District Football League

After unfurling the 2017 Premiership flag, Catani got straight to business as they kicked off their 2018 campaign with a comprehensive win over Lang Lang at Taplins Road.
The Tigers won the opening centre clearance, but from there it was tough going for the Lang Lang‘s midfielders as the class of Catani shone through.
Paul Pattison’s dominance around the ground set up many attacking forays and Trent Adams made Lang Lang pay, setting the tone early with plenty of energy and speed up forward.
Lang Lang’s Josh Brown, whose desperation all day was impressive, provided the highlight of the first quarter with a long bomb from outside fifty.
A 48-point lead for Catani at half-time was the result of cleaner ball use and quick transition from defence.
Aiden Cuff and Dylan Williams ran riot for the Blues, providing plenty of attack. The teamwork from Catani was second to none, With many bone-crunching shepherds and tackles that left their Lang Lang opponents reeling.
To Lang Lang’s credit, they came out much improved after half time, holding Catani to three goals in the third quarter.
Will McGindle, playing on one of the best key forwards in the league in Owen Fitzpatrick, was valiant. Holding Fitzpatrick to one goal in the first three quarters (he finished with three majors), was impressive as he halved nearly all one-on-one marking contests.
Troy McPherson was a soldier in defence and with the ball coming in thick and fast, battled hard all day. Without him, Lang Lang would’ve conceded half a dozen more goals.
A final quarter that saw Catani score 6.6 and hold Lang Lang to one behind, showcased Catani’s superior conditioning.
The pairing of Adams (four goals) and Wade Haysom (three goals) provided plenty of firepower up forward and will be a tough cover for any defence in the league.
Paul Pattison sent an ominous message to the rest of the league that he can match, if not better, his league best and fairest winning sea. son of 2017. He dominated from start to finish in a best-on-ground performance that was sure to have caught the eyes of the vote-giving umpires.
Hayley Wildes

Pakenham Gazette

POOWONG travelled to Ellinbank after the game was changed back from Poowong to honour Ellinbank player Ricky Johnson who was tragically killed in a farm accident recently.
One minute’s silence was observed by all at the ground including Ricky’s workmates in a special tribute.
The emotional release may well have contributed to a flurry of scoring from Ellinbank who kicked their first three goals in three minutes with Tim Masado especially damaging on the lead.
Adding two more for the quarter, the Poowong defence was under pressure all the quarter with Ellinbank playing a more direct style of football with long deep entries into the forward 50.
The second quarter opened up with Ellinbank again kicking three quick goals and it looked like the Magpies were in for a hiding but a goal to Tim Francis finally opened their account.
Another chance came late to Trevor Hooker but the kick was out of bounds on the full leaving Ellinbank with a strong 45 point lead at half time.
Poowong made some changes in the big break, throwing Joseph Bisognin into the ruck to try and get first use of the ball.
As usual Bisognin did the job, playing with great heart and desire.
The third quarter was very tight early with young first gamer Jai Newcombe and Jayden Sullivan working hard in defence for the Magpies.
Tommy Wyatt nailed an early dribble goal but Ellinbank replied quickly with a major of their own.
However the Poowong team was gaining in confidence and started to take the game on when Hooker kicked slotted another goal.
The Magpies failed to capitalise on two relatively simple opportunities in front of goal soon after and a late goal to Ellinbank pushed the margin back out to 42 points at the final change.
Poowong turned up the heat in the last with two early goals to Hooker but Ellinbank continued to find answers.
However a good goal to Joshua Chiavaroli and another to Hooker shortened the margin.
A flurry of late goals to Peter Edwards wasn’t enough to pull the Magpies over the line eventually going down by seven points.
Next week Poowong plays Catani at home and will gain Tim and Ben Hancock and a couple of recruits that were unavailable this week.

South Gippsland Sentinel Times

NYORA has started its season in fine style, defeating Neerim Neerim South by 49 points at Neerim.

The much improved Saints led at every break in a solid performance across the board.

The addition of new recruits Rhys Bancroft and Ryan Spooner strengthened Nyora‘s midfield which dominated the clearances for most of the day.

Last year‘s leading goal kicker Ilan Osman appears to have continued his strong form from last season slotting four majors along with new recruit Ben Schultz who also dobbed four.

An exciting start came from three early goals for the Saints who have adopted a more attacking and exciting brand of football.

Nyora stretched their lead to 22 points at half time and the travelling Saints crowd knew this would be the big test having been competitive in almost every first half last season; it was time to prove their fitness.

And prove it they did, not only on the attacking end but in defence as well, with Neerim trying their best to get a run on in the third quarter with a couple of quick goals.

Kallon Rigby and Ben Miller took the game on across half back and didn’t allow the explosive Neerim forwards any breathing space.

The lead reduced to 29 points at three quarter time but the Saints looked more than capable of running out the game. The last quarter became a goal frenzy with Nyora adding seven goals to run out the game 49 point victors.

Coach Fia Tootoo was pleased to get a positive result in the opening round and said it’s definitely something to build on for a big season ahead.

South Gippsland Sentinel Times

In Nilma Darnum, the Bombers provided a major upset, taking care of the Crows.

Longwarry struggled to get their offence going and were unable to control Nilma Darnum ‘s midfielders.

Bomber Ben Campbell (two goals) was dominant and asserted himself on the contest from the opening bounce.

Russell Lehman (two goals), Riley Rundell (two goals) and Nicholas Redley were impressive for Longwarry, but the Crows simply didn’t have as many contributors as the Bombers did.

Down by a goal heading into the final quarter. There was plenty of belief in the Longwarry camp, but it wasn’t to be. A five goal to four final quarter saw Nilma Damum claim a 10.15 (75) to 8.12 (60) win.

Hayley Wildes

Pakenham Gazette

Buln Buln’s young side showed positive signs to keep in touch with Warragul Industrials early, but talent of the 2017 grand finalists eventually won out as the home side prevailed 15.12 (102) to 9.8 (62).

Buln Buln competed strongly in the first term to head to the first change trailing by just five points, and were also competitive in a torrid third quarter that realised just the one goal apiece.

But the Industrials took their opportunity with the scoring end, booting four goals to one in the second term to get the break they needed. Maintaining a 23-point advantage after a tight third quarter, the match opened up in the final term with the lndustrials putting through six goals to four to run out a comfortable victory in the end.

Shane Brewster continued to show his talent, finishing with four goals, while another experienced campaigner in Mathew Willis also led the way for the home side.

Tye Holland, Travis Ogden, Rhett O’Hara and Michael Ablett were also listed among the better players for the Industrials. Jake Baker Jake Pierrehumbert, Thomas Axford coach Matt Gray, Brent Waddell and Carlton Helliwell stood up for the Lyrebirds.

Warragul & Drouin Gazette

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