Cats far too good for Crows
Neerim-Neerim South proved far too good for Longwarry in round nine of Ellinbank District football, scoring a huge win despite the slippery conditions, prevailing 20-18 (138) to 1-12 (18).
The Cats simply handled the conditions better, with their superior ball use a telling factor in the outcome.
Neerim-Neerim South were missing key tall Alex Gavin, who will be out for several weeks with a medial ligament, but it mattered little as the Cats largely did as they pleased throughout the afternoon.
The Cats raced out to a 33 point lead at the first change and continued that momentum in the second term, adding another six majors to have the match in their keeping.
Apart from a long shot from Troy Lehman which was touched over the line, the Crows hardly looked like scoring a goal in the first half.
The Crows came out and attacked early in the third term, but could only manage behinds as the Cats held firm.
The home side responded with five goals for the third term as the tough day for the Crows continued.
Longwarry finally goaled through Stephen Hawkins in the final term, but the Cats rolled on with four majors of their own to run out a big win.
Tyssen Morrow, Chris Redl, Michael Urie and Kody Wilson, who kicked a clever goal from the pocket in the final term, were all dangerous in attack for the Cats.
Calum Shiels, Tom Muir, Chris Weller and Josh Morrison set up their opportunities.
Leigh McDonald, Brody Hamilton, Jesse Davies, Beau Ridgeway, Josh Bourke and Kane Oldham did their best to stem the tide for Longwarry.
The win saw the Cats climb to fourth and loom as another threat in the premiership race.
Cats claw Crows
Neerim-Neerim South finished to the good in a Reserves match that ebbed and flowed.
Inaccurate kicking in the first term kept the Cats’ lead at five points and the Crows swooped in the second, kicking three goals to open up a 15 point lead at the main change.
The Cats clicked into gear in the second half, booting five goals to one to win 6-`12 (48) to 5-4 (34).
Mathew Churchill, Tim Beaurain, Merrick Morley, Tobi Yousuf, Tim Leicester and Steven Heath stepped up when it counted for the Cats.
For Longwarry it was Braydon Monroe, Callen Batchelor, Anthony Stevens, Cole Cook, Jeremy Hill and George Conway who helped the team to a good start.