Industrials bounce back
Warragul Industrials bounced back from last week’s loss to Longwarry in a big way, comfortably accounting for fellow finals hopeful Ellinbank away from home 12-11 (83) to 4-5 (29).
No doubt seething from last week’s narrow loss from the Crows, the Industrials set up victory in a barnstorming first quarter that realised 5-4 (34) to no score.
The Industrials were on song early, scoring in the first minute. Tyson Bale won a free kick for high contact, clearing the ball to Mitch Davies who found Shane Brewster leading out wide for the first goal of the match.
The shell-shocked Eagles simply couldn’t get a look in during the first term, the Industrials converting from the pocket to soon have their second major on the board.
The Industrials continued to dominate play but could only manage three behinds for their efforts.
It took a free kick for a push in the back to break the shackles, with Will Jolley converting the Industrials’ third major against his former club. Jolley would be a constant thorn in the side for his former club, finishing with four goals.
A dropped mark from the Eagles almost proved costly, with Will Gibson finding Brewster on the lead but his shot missed.
A nice pass into space set up the Industrials’ fourth goal as the visitor took a handy lead.
In what would sum up the home sides’ afternoon, an Ellinbank pass clean bowled its intended target late in the term, only to find a watching Josh Peterson.
Ben Wragg and Ash Wallace attempted to switch from defence for the Eagles, but persistent pressure saw the home side cough it up to Jolley, who swooped on the opportunity to convert and open a 34-point lead at the first change.
While Ellinbank controlled much of the possession in the second term, they couldn’t break past half forward to put much needed scoreboard pressure on the visitor.
The Eagles held the Industrials to just one rushed behind for the majority of the quarter but couldn’t threaten the scoreboard themselves.
Mathew Robertson took a mark on the lead for a much-needed shot against the grain, but his shot missed.
A long kick in from Gibson threatened to break it open for the Industrials, but Brewster’s snap missed. Brewster was soon in the game again, controlling the mark on the lead but his shot again missed.
A switch of play set up Jolley for another goal, with the Industrials winning the second quarter despite the Eagles controlling most of the possession.
Brewster and Peterson combined to set up the seventh goal for the Industrials early in the third term, which almost broke the Eagles’ spirit.
The Eagles went long to find Mark Vassett for mark over the back at half forward. He proceeded to kick a long goal to draw a Bronx cheer from the Ellinbank crowd.
Unfortunately the joy was short lived with Gibson finding Brewster on the lead, who centred to a teammate for another goal.
Jack Blakey then strolled in the open goal as the Industrials continued their dominance.
Ellinbank worked forward to find Robertson on the outside. He converted with a checkside on the run for the Eagles’ second goal.
The Industrials held a handy 33-point buffer at the final change and simply never let the Eagles into the contest.
The Eagles sent the ball deep for the first major of the final term, only for an Industrials reply to again break their spirit.
In what would prove goal of the day, Blakey ran back with the flight, trapped the ball inside the boundary, doubled back towards half forward and then turned and snapped true in a remarkable goal that would sap any possibility of an Eagles revival.
The Industrials added the next two goals to kill the contest.
Ash Wallace created some late cheer for the home side, roving the front of the pack to kick his sides’ fourth.