Saints announce arrival
Nyora have announced themselves as potential Ellinbank and District Football League contenders after comfortably accounting for reigning premiers Catani, 11-12 (78) to 7-7 (49).
While Nyora had completed victory over Neerim-Neerim South and Buln Buln in the opening rounds, neither performance had been totally convincing and had left the prospects of the Saints very much still up in the air.
However in contrast the Blues had been flying, and the Saints’ comfortable victory away from home has put the rest of the competition on notice.
The Saints set up the victory with a barnstorming start, kicking five goals to one in the first term to open up a handy 26-point buffer and leave the home side shell shocked.
The rest of the match proved an even affair, Nyora holding sway as each side kicked six goals across the remainder of the match as the Saints’ fast start ultimately proved the difference.
Recruit Ben Schultz again provided a handy target up forward, booting six goals.
Midfielder Kyle Rigby continued his fine form, while Ben Hallas, Rhys Bancroft, Tim and Sam Burns were also instrumental in allowing the Saints to hold the advantage.
Reigning best and fairest Paul Pattison, Alexander brothers John and James, Dale Johnson, Dylan Williams and Tim Lonsdale led a competitive effort from the Blues after their slow start.
Buln scrape home
Despite competitive efforts in recent weeks, Buln Buln were far from convincing in scraping home over Neerim-Neerim South 8-9 (57) to 8-6 (54).
The Lyrebirds had proved competitive for the most part in round one and got within three points in round two, both efforts coming against fancied opposition.
However the Cats have been widely tipped to struggle and while a valuable four points have been banked, the prospects of last year’s semi-finalists remain up in the air.
The clubs were competing for the Neerim District Community Bank Challenge Cup, and were up for the contest.
The Cats surprised and took a narrow lead into the first change, and while the Lyrebirds hit the front early in the second term, they couldn’t shake the persistent Cats.
Leading by five points at the final change, the Lyrebirds were able to maintain their narrow advantage to hold on by just three points.
Jake Pierrehumbert, coach Matt Gray, James Taylor, Lex Wright, Charlie Park and Simon Dawson helped the Lyrebirds hold on.
Nathan Bayne, Jackson Ward, Dane Fawcett, Tim Beaurain and Aaron Fawcett helped keep the Cats in the contest, while Nicholas Castle performed well against his former side.
Crows survive scare
Longwarry again prevailed in a close contest, this time surviving a scare from 2017 cellar dweller Poowong, 14-10 (94) to 12-15 (87).
The Magpies have maintained their promise to be more competitive this season, and were every chance to cause an upset after leading for the majority of the contest.
With the Crows hosting their annual Anzac commemoration prior to the match, the Magpies threatened to rain on their parade.
They increased a narrow one goal quarter time lead to 17-points at the main break as they threatened to take home a rare win.
Six goals to three in the third term pulled the Crows back into the contest, but it was still the Magpies leading at the final change albeit by just four points.
A return of 3-7 in the third term may have had the Magpies ruing what may have been.
Unfortunately the Magpies couldn’t run it out, the Crows kicking five goals to three in the final term to secure a narrow seven-point victory.
Cory Lenders kicked five goals for Longwarry, while Brody Rundell, Kane Oldham, Danny Wells, Josh Bourke in his welcome return to the side and Nicholas Redley helped the Crows finish strongly.
Chris Robinson and Ben Hancock each kicked three goals for Poowong, while Thomas Wyatt, Josh Harvey, Tim Hancock, Jack Hazendonk and Jayden Sullivan also helped keep the Magpies in the contest.
Bombers swoop Tigers
Nilma-Darnum maintained their strong start to the season under new coach Matt Shorey, but weren’t thoroughly convincing in their comfortable victory over Lang Lang, 14-10 (94) to 9-6 (60).
Continuing the trend of most other matches across the league, the Tigers entered half time with the scores locked on 37-points apiece.
However from there the Bombers were able to take control, booting five goals to one to open up a handy 26-point buffer at the final change.
The visitor went on with it in the final term, steering through four goals to one to round out a comfortable victory.
Thomas Campbell kicked five goals, while Mitchell Dance chipped in with three majors. Jack Ruddell, Nicholas Murray and Chris Larosa also helped the Bombers take control in the second half.
Troy McPherson, Josh Brown, Sam Kendall, Mathew Thompson, William McGindle and Ben Barwick, who finished with three goals, led an impressive first half effort from the Tigers.