Demons maintain gap at summit
Koo wee rup maintained its four-point gap at the top of the Ellinbank and District football ladder, but they had to overcome the odds and a determined Warragul Industrials outfit.
Despite having a player sent from the ground, the Demons were able to score late goals to pinch the lead and take the four points, 9-9 (63) to 8-9 (57).
Koo wee rup kicked a long goal early in the final term to reduce the margin to a point and the contest became more willing.
A melee started on the wing, Dusties swooped on the boundary throw in to put themselves back in front.
The melee continued at centre half back as tempers flared with Koo wee rup coach Ben Collins sent off for a strike.
Many expected Warragul Industrials to take advantage of the extra player, but the Demons lifted, with a goal from the pocket and long goal putting the Demons back in front.
Shane Brewster goaled to level the scores, only for Mitchell Collins to respond with a long goal as the lead changed again.
Dusties went forward again through Tye Holland and Jason Wells, only for the ball to be touched over the line with Koo wee rup able to hold on to win by just six points.
Earlier, Dusties opened up a 13point buffer in a high scoring first term before the contest tightened up.
Wells, Russell Ware and Corey Nickels all combined as Dusties went forward first, but the shot missed to the left.
Koo wee rup got the break from the kick in for the immediate reply, with Mitchell Collins passing to Tim Miller who ran into an open goal.
Tyson Bale got the break away for Dusties, but the attacking move was cut off by the Demons.
Another turnover in the middle allowed Koo wee rup to goal through Steven Greaves.
Dusties went forward again through Kallan Fitzclarence and Holland, but again the Demons were able to clear with Mitchell Collins on the receiving end to put the Demons clear.
Dusties were quick to hit back, finding Brewster in the clear to set up the first.
Josh Peterson scored a long goal and Nickels scored his first to put Dusties back in the contest.
Nickels would add another before Wells bobbed up to kick his first to complete a run of five consecutive goals for Dusties.
Mitchell Collins converted from a strong mark early in the second term, but from there the contest tightened up.
Both sides traded minor scores before the Demons broke the shackles late in the term to rebound and score a long goal to level the scores.
The dour struggle continued in the third term, with Wells converting from a long lead to give Dusties a narrow lead at the final change.
The Demons scored a goal early in the fourth term to reduce the gap to a point and it was game on. Despite having their coach sent off it was the Demons who held firm as the contest opened up.
Warragul Industrials have been on the end of consecutive close losses to sides in the top four and show every indication they will be able to match it at the business end of the season.
Bale, Michael Ablett, Holland, Brewster, Mathew Willis and Peterson continually drove the ball forward for Dusties, who went down in another agonising close loss.
Daniel Calteri was Koo wee rup’s best player, with Bailey Galante, David Collins, Ben Kerrigan and Greaves also key play makers.
Dusties on top
Warragul Industrials maintained top spot on the Reserves ladder with a comfortable win over Koo wee rup, 11-14 (80 to 8-3 (51).
Dusties kicked four goals to two in the first quarter to open up a 13-point buffer and were never really challenged, gradually increasing their lead from that point.
Goal kickers and best player details were not available at time of going to print.
One sided contest
With fourth meeting fifth on the ladder one could have reasonably expected the under 18 contest to be a close one.
It wasn’t to be with Warragul Industrials far too good, keeping Koo wee rup scoreless while managing 14-16 (100) themselves.
Six goals in the final term put the icing on the cake as Dusties took the margin to 100 points.
Riley Rundell was best afield with four goals while Brett Cameron, River Ford, Adam Bainbridge, Thomas Wouters and Travis Ogden also relished the conditions.
Caleb Milojevic, Mitchell Cammarano, Shaun Donnelly, Cody Miller, Callum Huxtable and Brody Sungalis tried hard for Koo wee rup.
Demons win
Koo wee rup handled the conditions best to comfortably win the under 16s, 8-7 (55) to 2-7 (19).
Jason Cox, Lachlan Hole, Thomas Glassbarrow, Mitchell Davey, Mitchell Cammarano and Jake Seuren were the better players for the visitor.
Will Gibson, Bailey Wright, Lachlan Crook, Nicholas Huggett, Mitchell Crole and Jake Smith played well for Dusties.