Ellinbank DFL Round 15 review

MATCH REVIEW

Catani overcame a spirited challenge from Nilma-Damum as it continues its bid to shore up a finals berth.

With a six-point advantage to its fifth and sixth-placed rivals, the Blues’ position is still not assured with the Bombers showing they can be vulnerable. A high scoring first term with nine goals between the sides threatened to consign the Blues to a shootout, and while the Blues managed to regain some control they went for large periods where they weren’t able to break the plucky Bombers.

Five goals to one in the second term opened a 38-point advantage at the long break and it proved the difference as the Blues went on to win 15-16 (106) to 10-7 (67).

The Bombers won a torrid third term and kept with the Blues in the final term, but the half time deficit proved too much to overcome. In a rare day for the Blues, Owen Fitzpatrick did not finish its leading goal scorer with those honours going to Tom Keily with four. Paul Pattison, Cody Harrison, Nick Visser, Trent and Liam Adams helped the Blues in a match winning second quarter.

Mitchell Dance booted five goals for Nilma-Damum, while Hayden Potts chipped in with three majors. Ben Campbell, Jeremy Jarred, Luke Bartlett, Chris Larosa and Brent Simons also led a competitive effort from the Bombers.

MATCH REVIEW

Ellinbank‘s comfortable victory over Buln Buln was enough for it creep back into the Ellinbank District Football League top five by the slimmest of margins.

With the Lyrebirds fighting to keep their season alive the Eagles were able to kick away in the second half after leading by just 15-points at half time to win 16-13 (109) to 5-7 (37).

With Poowong not enjoying as great a margin over Lang Lang, the Eagles leapfrogged the Magpies into fifth spot.

The Lyrebirds led by two-points at the first change and were still in the hunt at half time, trailing by 15-points. But they were unable to sustain it, with a brutal third term from the Eagles putting the result beyond doubt. Kicking six goals while keeping the Lyrebirds to one behind opened an unassailable 54-point margin at the final change.

Having gained the momentum, the Eagles finished strongly with five goals to two in the final term. Tim Mashado booted five goals, while Adam Cook and Matt Barrand each chipped in with three majors. Michael Urie, Ashley Wallace, Jared Lane and Tom Robertson also helped the Eagles to a dominant second half.

Trent Baker, Thomas Axford, Matt Gray, Ryan Bishop, Charlie Park and Jake Pierrehumbert led the way in a competitive first half from the Lyrebirds.

MATCH REVIEW

Warragul Industrials ensured it would hold onto third position on the ladder with a comfortable victory over Neerim-Neerim South, 15-6 (96) to 7-6 (48).

The Industrials had to overcome a slow start where the Cats scored the only goal of the first term to sensationally lead at the first change.

Six goals to two in the second term restored order as the Industrials took a 19-point lead into the long break

The Industrials again doubled the Cats’ output in the third term with another six goals to three to open a handy 37-point buffer at the final change.

Three goals to one in the final tern finished the job. Tyson Bale booted three goals in a best afield effort, while Travis Ogden, Joel Morgan, Shane Brewster, Tye Holland and Jack O’Neil helped the Industrials take control after quarter time.

Toby Bayne, Tim Beaurain, Dean Stringer, Steven Ladds, Ashley Lockett and Jack Griffiths helped the Cats to a strong start.

MATCH REVIEW

Nyora have overcome a slow start against second placed Longwarry to claim an 18-point win and go two games clear on top of the Ellinbank and District ladder.
Still without coach Fia Tootoo and Ben Hallas the Saints were slow to get off the mark, with the Crows nailing the opening two goals.
The Saints snuck in their first major through some brilliant work by Dylan Heylen, but the Crows were quick to respond.
In final stages of the opening quarter the Saints were struck with a cruel blow, losing leading goal kicker Ben Schultz to a gruesome finger injury.
Trailing by 13-points at quarter time the Saints leaders agreed it was a time for action rather than words.
Shaun Beecroft and Ryan Spooner got the job done at the coal face, gathering plenty of hard ball and flicking out to the running Dylan Heylen.
Aiden Cumberland, Ilan Osman and Jesse Heylen all got amongst the goals in the second term as the Saints drew equal 4.6.30 apiece at half time.
From there the Saints found their mojo and began to pull away.
Jesse Heylen was starting to gather plenty of possessions along with Sam Dixon who was vital in the third quarter revival.
Cumberland slotted his second and Kallon Rigby followed soon after with a brilliant goal.
However, the Saints did struggle to convert all their opportunities in front of goal, kicking a worrying 3.8 in the term and leaving the door ajar for Longwarry.
Nyora had clawed back to claim a 26-point lead at three quarter time and the home crowd was willing on their beloved Saints.
Try as they might the Crows just couldn’t maintain possession in the final quarter with Beecroft and Spooner still hard at it in the midfield as the Saints ran away to yet another win.

MATCH REVIEW