Cora Lynn fight hard for premiership
Cora Lynn scored a hardfought 23-point win over Bunyip to take its third successive premiership in the Ellinbank District Football League inf ront of one of the largest crowds in recent seasons.
The match was also one of the highest standard grand finals in recent times. There were four lead changes in the last quarter before Cora Lynn posted the last four goals of the game including three in three minutes from the 16 minute mark to give the Cobras a stranglehold on the premiership cup.
The Cobras entered firm favourites but were made to fight all the way by a determined Bulldog outfit that was hell-bent to avenge their loss to Cora Lynn in last year’s grand final. In a tight first half that only yielded four goals apiece the reigning premiers led by a solitary point at the main break.
After the main break both teams were able to penetrate the tight defence of both sides more regularly and with five goals apiece Cora held a slender three point lead at three quarter time to set up a thrilling last quarter.
In an exciting and frantic opening 10 minutes of the final term Bulldog tall Brent Heus took a strong mark and put through his fifth major which was quickly followed by an opportunist goal by Jack Blakey to give the underdogs a nine point lead – and an upset brewed.
Cora Lynn replied with goals by enigmatic forward Ryan Gillis and speedster Jackson Dalton to arrest the lead before Shane Smith streamed into an open goal to put Bunyip in front.
But like a champion team does the Cobras dug deep and with unanswered goals by Gippsland Power youngster Jai Rout, Nathan Langley, Anthony Giuliano and Ryan Gillis it responded and will depart the EDFL to join the new West Gippsland Football Netball Competition in 2017 with lasting memories.
Key Cora Lynn defender Justin McCleary was superb with his attack on the ball and timely spoils and won the best on ground medal. Brady White, Rout and veterans Jack Allen and Ricky Clark, the later in his 11th senior grand final (and now six wins) were prominent through the middle while Ryan Gillis (four goals) and Jackson Dalton and Anthony Giuliano (both three goals) both posed problems for the Bulldogs with their pace.
Despite the loss Bunyip was outstanding. In and around the midfield Jeb McLeod, Zac Vansittart, Dean Fitzgerald, Sam O’Sullivan and Michael Whyte found plenty of the ball while Brent Hues, Shane Smith and Matt Ross often troubled the Cora Lynn defence.
In other matches, Warragul Industrials were in control from the outset to successfully defend their Reserves crown.
Cora Lynn got off to a fast start in the under 18s, but Garfield’s senior experience was telling as the Stars finished stronger to take out the premiership.
The Cobras would kick only two goals after quarter time as the Stars worked their way back into the contest.
An undermanned Koo wee rup were unlucky in the under 16s.
Despite fielding just 17 players on the day, the Demons finished with all the momentum and were unlucky to go down by just twopoints as they ran out of time.
Richmond captain Trent Cotchin gave guests an insight into his career and the Richmond club at the grand final lunch held in the social club during the Reserves.
Cotchin stayed for autograph and photo opportunities for young fans before tossing the coin for the senior match.
The large crowd was responsible for the most part before a brawl behind the goals at the Seven Mile Rd end of the ground, allegedly sparked when a can of beer was thrown at a player on the ground, saw the day finish on a sour note.