Neerim-Neerim South the team to beat
Neerim-Neerim South once again flexed its muscle in the Ellinbank District Football League, this time easly casting aside fellow premiership hopefuls Warragul Industrials, 23-5 (143) to 13-3 (81).
It was the Cats fast start that ultimately proved the difference, racing out to a 34-point half time lead over a shell-shocked Industrials.
Proving themselves as the team to beat in the process, the Cats were deadly accurate, registering a return of 12 straight to half time.
The Cats would not register their first behind until the third term, by that point they had 14 majors on the board.
Industrials coach Josh O’Brien delivered a spray at half time that was still continuing as the umpires made their way back onto the field.
He called for his side to show some fight in the second half and while they did in the third term, where they kicked five goals to four to win the quarter, the damage had already been done.
Josh Morrison went long to Urie, Tyssen Morrow benefiting from the crumbs to score the Cats 13th.
Shane Brewster received a free kick from a push in the marking contest to score a much-needed goal for the Industrials.
Corey Nickels and Brewster both handled to set up Joel Crowther in space, the first time the Industrials had string together consecutive goals.
A long goal had the Cats’ 14th major on the board before a blemish, scoring consecutive behinds.
Tyson Bale ran from the wing, with Dylan Holland and Crowther setting up O’Brien for another goal.
Thomas Metselaar, Leicester, Morrison, Ward and Urie put together an impressive play to hit back for the Cats.
Brewster found space again twice to pull the margin back to 32points at the final change.
Any faint hope the Industrials had was quickly dashed, the Cats scoring the first goal of the final term courtesy of a left foot snap from Leicester.
Morrow converted from a mark at centre half forward, before Urie added another drifting into space to well and truly put the match in the Cats’ keeping.
While Brewster continued to be a shining light for the Industrials, finishing with six goals, the Cats were able to finish stronger with seven goals to two in the final term.
Chandler finished with his fourth and Morrow his fifth as the Cats completed a rout.
Chris Urie had also been damaging, finishing with six goals.
Earlier, the Cats were quickly on the board in the first term, getting the break from a boundary throw in to find Jackson Ward on the lead.
The Industrials hit back with a long goal from a centre clearance, before the Cats went on the attack to score consecutive goals.
Tim Leicester, Ashley Lockett and Ward all handled to set the Cats up for a snap on goal, which was quickly followed by a running goal from Chris Urie.
Tyssen Morrow led back towards goal to mark and convert to put the Cats further ahead.
The Industrials took the advantage from a free kick to score their seconf, but the Cats were able to get on another run to finish the first term.
Chris Urie ran home another major before Chandler found space to end the first term on a positive note.
An errant handball in defence fromDean Stringer proved a costly start to the second term, gifting Industrials a certain goal. It was coach O’Brien who received the gift, running into an open goal.
The Cats were quick to respond, with Chris Urie converting on the lead.
Kody Wilson switched play to set up a long goal, and it appeared as if the Cats had resumed control.
The Cats scored the next two goals and it was getting ugly on the scoreboard again.
Shane Brewster pulled one back for the Industrials, but again the Cats hit back quickly, with Josh Morrison putting on the afterburners to run into the goal.
A clever dribble kick from Tye Holland raced through the goals as Dusties started to show some fight.
Nathan Bayne found Allan Chandler leading wide and the coach made no mistake, converting the Ctas’ 12th.
Troy Hemming snapped truly to finish the quarter well to set up Dusties with some momentum heading into the third term, before the Cats powered away for a big win.