Dusties storm home
Warragul Industrials stormed home to kick the final four goals of the match to take victory from a determined Ellinbank in the Reserves, 916 (70) to 8-4 (52).
Supporters around the ground admired the effort of their Ellinbank team that had been hit hard by unavailability, but recognised they were running out of legs mid-way through the third term when the Industrials began their charge.
The Eagles had kicked five goals in a barnstorming first quarter to set up a comfortable lead throughout the first half.
But signs of the tide turning began to emerge in the third term, with the Industrials kicking four goals to one, including the final two goals of the term to reduce the margin to just two points to turn the momentum.
Players such as Josh O’Brien, Ayden Mills, Russell Ware and Joel Crowther started to come to the fore for the Industrials, showing their seniors experience as the match wore on.
The visitor could have kicked further away had it been for a better final quarter return of 2-8, with Matthew Gooden just failing to sneak a final goal in after the siren, his set shot from centre half forward clipping the post.
Scott Lindsay, Drew Davey and Zac O’Hara were also prominent for the Industrials.
Brad Martin, Brad Berry, Kris Stephens, Jack Pandolfo and Justin Tylee led the early charge for the home side.
Bombers crash
A slow start proved costly for Nilma-Darnum as they fell to Lang Lang, 8-7 (55) to 6-9 (45).
While the final scoreline suggests a good competitive battle between two clubs who arguably lack depth outside of their senior teams, the Bombers will be left to rue what could have been a missed chance.
Both sides boasted only two players with recent senior experience, with Robert Campbell and Oxley Huson helping lead the charge for the Bombers while Chris Potrich and Callum Soutar lined up for the Tigers.
The visitor finished the match the far better team in the final term, and four quarters of that effort could have seen them walk away with a comfortable win.
The Bombers had failed to score a major until the third term, with the Tigers entering the final change with a handy 28-point buffer.
The Bombers charged home with four goals to one in the final term to finish on a brighter note, but falling short.
Sean Viotto, Joe Gibbons and Korey Carrison also led the final quarter charge.
Brandon Dalli, Cory Dowson, Brendon Boulton, Mark Hunter and Neil Harris helped set up victory for the Tigers.
Cats bank points
Neerim-Neerim South banked the points over Buln Buln, scoring 11-5 (71) to 6-8 (44).
The Lyrebirds kept in touch for the majority of the contest, with the Cats maintaining a narrow lead in the first half before extending the margin to 17-points at the final change.
The Cats kicked away in the final term, kicking three goals to one to mask what had been a competitive match.
Mathew Cumming led the way in front of goal, booting three majors, while Reine Slattery, Luke Bottom, Jayden Bell, Heath Strating, Thomas Slate and Ryan Muir also helped the Cats outlast.
Jeremy Jagoe, Tim Stoll, Andrew Welfare, Cameron Nugent, Ricky McKerrow and Matthew Burdett kept the Lyrebirds in the contest.
Crows have depth
Longwarry’s improved depth shone through as the Crows easily accounted for Poowong, 18-10 (118) to 5-10 (40).
Suffering an early scare as the Magpies took a five-point lead into quarter time, the Crows kicked into gear to restrict the visitor to just two goals for the remainder of the contest as they took charge on the scoreboard.
Having opened up a handy 37point buffer at the final change, the Crows finished full of running to boot eight goals to one in the final term.
Paul Williams booted six goals, while Ryan Wouters chipped in with three majors. Braydon Monroe, Jack Muirhead, Thomas Hargreaves and Jacob Cuckson were also prominent for the Crows.
Andrew Wallis, Tom Lancaster, Michael O’Rafferty, Geoff Odgers and Stephen Joyce helped the Magpies make a promising start, while Josh Chiavaroli pressed his claim for an immediate return to the senior side.
Blues thump Saints
Catani thumped Nyora, 22-13 (145) to 6-4 (40).
Fourteen goals to two set up the huge win for the Blues, although the Saints improved after half time with four goals to eight.
Blues veteran Luke McFarlane kicked six goals in a best afield effort, while Riley McDonald (four goals), Justin Evans, Nicholas Cullen, Ben Ahern and Ryan Williams also led the charge. Lachlan Pratt chipped in to the big score with three goals.
Adam Jamieson kicked three goals for the Saints, while Brett Kelly, Jacob Lesjak, Matt Layton, Jack Watson and Daniel Connelly also battled against the odds.