Cats continue strong form Industrials find confidence over Buln
Neerim-Neerim South continued their recent strong form in the Reserves.
Following a strong win over Warragul Industrials, the Cats put in another strong performance to defeat another team with high hopes in Ellinbank, 912 (66) to 5-4 (34).
The Cats kicked out steady lead early, and the Eagles were unable to bridge the gap.
Cameron Nugent, Toby Bayne, Chris Saunders, Jason Halligan, Heath Strating and Luke O’Donoghue helped the Cats to a strong win.
Ellinbank’s better players were Matthew Guy, Chris Gardiner, Neale Parke, Sam Brown, Nicholas Harper and Kris Stephens.
Cats claw Eagles
Neerim-Neerim South were also strong winners in the under 18s, 14-7 (91) to 4-7 (31).
The Eagles were competitive in the first half before the Cats kicked away in the second, booting nine goals to two.
Cooper Clancy kicked five goals, while Reine Slattery chipped in with four majors.
Rhys George, Adam White and Justin Lockett were also prominent for the Cats.
Jake Tyers, Dale Armstrong, Jayden Hedrick, Jaxon Notman and William Robertson were named as the best players for Ellinbank.
Frenetic finish
A frenetic finish saw Ellinbank take the points in an under 16 match that was significantly delayed due to the need for an ambulance.
With play stopped with 3:32 to play in the second term, both teams agreed to continue with the remaining time of the second quarter played out before two five minute quarters in order to achieve a result.
With Ellinbank leading by 10 points at the resumption of play, both teams pushed hard with desperation.
The Cats scored a goal on the final siren to close the margin to four points, 2-2 (10) to 1-4 (10).
Warragul Industrials found some confidence with a strong win over Buln Buln, 10-16 (76) to 2-6 (18).
Following a tough fixture in recent weeks, the Industrials bounced back strongly to kick away to a comfortable win.
The Lyrebirds kept it tight early, but found it difficult to score for themselves as Dusties kicked away.
Shane Brewster continued his good run of form, booting four goals, while Will Jolley, Ben Northover, Tyson Bale, Michael Ablett and Tye Holland were also prominent.
The young Buln Buln team were best served by Jake Herbel, Matt Gray, Luke Nobelius, Brent Waddell and Harley Nobelius.
Dusties work hard
Warragul Industrials had to work hard for the win in the Reserves and score 9-7 (61) to 7-4 (46).
The Industrials kicked away following a tight start, taking a comfortable 32-point lead into threequarter-time.
The Lyrebirds threatened in the final term with four goals, but a steadier from the Industrials out the game out of their reach.
Luke O’Brien, Joel Bidey, Scott Lindsay, Cory Melbourne, Jack Commadeur and Darcy Nielsen set up the win for Dusties.
Toby Bransgrove led the final quarter charge for Buln Buln, finishing with four goals. Jake Baker, Mitchell Park, Thomas Park, Riley Steenholdt and Jeremy Jagoe also kept the Lyrebirds in the contest.
Dusties too strong
Warragul Industrials were strong winners in the under 18s, 10-12 (72) to 1-5 (11).
The match would set the tone for the afternoon, following a similar pattern to what would transpire in the senior match.
Bailey Wright, Thomas Wouters, Tom Commadeur, Nicholas Huggett, Joseph Murfet and Angus Borsato helped the Industrials kick away to a strong win.
The Lyrebirds were best served by Reece Campbell, Chad Hall, James Fowler, Thomas Bibby, Michael Rowlinson and Marko Kulas.
Dusties take sweep
Warragul Industrials began its clean sweep for the day with a hard fought victory over Longwarry in the under 16s, 5-11 (41) to 34 (22).
The match was tight in the opening half before the Industrials made their move in the third term, kicking out to a 19-point lead that the Crows could not overcome.
Harrison Perry, Henry Tyers, Lachlan Crook, Tyler Irving, Darcy Whelan and Brad Young led the Industrials to victory.
The Crows were best served by Jonah Serong, Bailey Stephens, Liam Quarrell, Jordyn HanssenDe Kort, Matt Hurst and Seth Ashton.