Cats the story in a big round of upsets

In a round of Ellinbank District football, which included a few upsets, it was NeerimNeerim South that perhaps emerged as the biggest story of them all.

Heading into the clash with the Bulldogs, many would have given Neerim-Neerim South a chance but it was the final margin that surprised.

The Cats booted 10 goals to one in the first half to have the match well and truly in their keeping on the way to an 80 point trouncing, 16-17 (113) to 5-3 (33).

Neerim-Neerim South almost had Bunyip’s final score covered at quarter time as the Cats made a fast start to have the Bulldogs on the back foot from the outset.

Despite playing in conditions slippery underfoot in recent weeks, it hasn’t fazed the strong Cats team. The Cats sit in fourth on the ladder but just one game off the ladder leaders, and must well and truly be considered to be contenders.

The Bulldogs didn’t see the result coming and were left shellshocked in the first half. They were more competitive in the third quarter, booting the first two goals of the term and finishing with four goals to the Cats’ three to hold the margin at 54-points at the final change.

However the Cats went on with the job in the final term, kicking three goals while holding the Bulldogs to a solitary point to run out big winners.

Tyssen Morrow led the way up forward with six goals.

Chris Weller, Kody Wilson, Calum Shiels, Nathan Bayne and Chris Urie set up his opportunities.

Michael Whyte, Nathan Lieshout, Jeb McLeod, Marc Jolley, Dean Fitzgerald and Mathew Miller led the Bulldogs in a lost cause.

Strong start by Cats

Neerim-Neerim South made a strong start to set up its comfortable win in the Reserves.

The Cats kicked away to a five goal lead at half time and maintained that advantage on the way to winning, 9-7 (61) to 5-2 (32).

Tim Leicester, Matthew Churchill, James Johnson, Jack Erickson, Sam Johnson and Mathew Cumming were the better players for Cats.

Ben Wright, Sam Dowie, Leigh Carmody, Matthew Sloan, Rickie Crockett and Bradley Thomas best served the Bulldogs.

Cats’ big win

Neerim-Neerim South ran out big winners in the under 18s, 10-10 (70) to 3-5 (23).

The Bulldogs kicked two goals to one to win the final term, but the Cats had already built a 50-point lead heading into the final change.

Jed Cumming kicked three goals for the Cats, with Isaiah Abrahams, Tyler Pratt, Lachlan Whittaker, Harrison Griffiths and Bailey George also among the better players.

Sean Russell, Sam Michie, Sam Rippon, Harrison Nadenbousch, Matthew O’Halloran and Elliott Knight battled hard for the Bulldogs.

Cats take sweep

Neerim-Neerim South began a clean sweep with victory in the under 16s, 6-9 (45) to 1-2 (8).

Scores were level at quarter time, but the Cats were able to restrict the Bulldogs to a solitary point from that point.

Rhys George, Bailey Ward, Justin Lockett, Jackson Saunders, Noah Glen and Lachlan Ward set up the win for the Cats.

Zack Baguley, Dylan Gallasch, Jye Wallin, Brodie Stokes and Rhys Nightingale tried hard for the Bulldogs.