Phelan, Johnson lift Ellinbank
An unbelievable goal from Shaun Phelan late in the piece proved the difference in a finals like match between Ellinbank and Catani.
With Phelan running back into the pocket, he collected and converted an unbelievable left foot checkside to put the Eagles in front and consign the Blues to another difficult loss, 13-8 (86) to 12-9 (81).
The Eagles had kicked three goals to one in the third term to reduce the margin to just one point at the final change, setting up an epic finish.
A left foot checkside gave the Blues the first goal of the final quarter, but forward half domination from Phelan and Tom Johnson inspired as the Eagles prevailed in a thriller.
Phelan broke a tackle in the middle to set up a goal from a rundown tackle to keep the Eagles in touch.
A long goal inspired Catani, but the Eagles weren’t done yet, paving the way for some Phelan and Johnson brilliance.
Phelan’s inspirational goal from the pocket had all in awe, before a long snap into the forward 50 was marked by Johnson to put the Eagles in front.
Catani hit back with a long goal from out wide, but again Phelan and Johnson would stand up for the visitor.
A strong mark to Phelan sent the ball forward with Johnson climbing over the top of the pack for another strong mark and goal.
What would be Catani’s final chance went begging, across the face and out of bounds.
The ball concentrated on the social club wing as the intensity lifted, neither side able to break past half forward.
Ellinbank finally got a kick away into space, with Phelan chasing hard towards the boundary line and the siren sounding just as it trickled out to bring elation to the big Ellinbank crowd in attendance.
Earlier, the first term provided a taste of what was to come as both sides traded blows.
Two goals to Owen Fitzpatrick, one from a lead and the other from a strong mark, opened up an early buffer for the Blues, along with Dylan Williams running into an open goal.
Ellinbank took the ball the length of the field for their first goal, following up with conversions from a snap, set shot and long to hit the front.
A strong mark helped the Blues reduce the margin to two points at the first change.
Fitzpatrick snuck in the first major of the second term but the contest continued to go goal for goal with the Eagles converting from a free kick.
Despite holding a handy 13-point lead at half time, Blues coach Paul Alger was left to lament giving away free kicks in costly areas of the ground.
Just as the Blues looked as if they might make some ascendency against a fellow finals hopeful following the first major of the third term, Ellinbank hit back by running into the open goal.
Another major followed from out wide and again a costly free kick in front of goal saw the Eagles pull the margin back to a solitary point at the final change.
With the Blues desperately missing reigning best and fairest Paul Pattison and Antonio Benvenuto, the Eagles could sense they were in with a chance.
Phelan and Johnson delivered for the Eagles, dominating the final term to just about singlehandedly carry the visitor over the line.
Coach Ben Wragg, Tim Leicester, Jacob Walker and Sam Barwick also had a hand in the thrilling win.
Owen Fitzpatrick was once again strong up forward for the Blues, finishing with four goals, while Dylan Williams, Riley McDonald, Jackson Caddy, James Alexander, Nicholas Visser and Aiden Cuff also stood tall.
The result will give the Eagles confidence and momentum ahead of a big clash against ladder leaders Nyora in front of their life members and sponsors, while the bottomplaced Neerim-Neerim South will come at a good time for the Blues.