Can the Magpies dare to dream?
The excitement continues to build at Poowong with the Magpies recording their third consecutive win on Saturday.
Having accounted for Nilma-Darnum and Lang Lang prior to the community championships bye, the Magpies had little trouble in disposing of cellar dwellars Neerim-Neerim South, 13-16 (94) to 5-6 (36).
The Magpies took an eight-point lead into quarter time, but gradually built on their lead to hold a 40-point advantage at the final change.
Three goals to one in the final term put paid to any hopes of a miracle Cats comeback.
Entering the season aiming to improve and ‘win a few games’, the Magpies now sit one game outside the five to exceed all expectations.
Their strong form will see them enter this week’s match against lower ranked opponents Buln Buln and look to make it four wins on the trot.
Can the Magpies dare to dream? A mid-season run against the top teams in the competition will unlock all the answers.
The Magpies’ better players all acquitted themselves well in the community championships match, and opposition may underestimate them at their peril.
Jack Hazendonk kicked five goals to continue his strong form, while Ben Hancock chipped in with four majors. Joseph Bisognin, Chris Robinson, Lachlan Green, Matthew Cozzio and Jayden Sullivan were also prominent in the big win over the Cats.
Dean Stringer, Nathan Bayne, Aaron Fawcett, Nicholas Castle, Chris Saunders and Ashley Lockett continue to lead the way each week in a young Cats side.
Saints fall in
Nyora maintained its unbeaten status but only just, falling in over a determined NilmaDarnum 6-13 (49) to 7-6 (48).
The Saints kicked out to a 25-point quarter time lead and it appeared they would continue with their dominant form.
However it wasn’t to be against a determined Bombers line up under new coach Matt Shorey, the Bombers working their way back into the contest.
Showing what they are capable of at their best, the Bombers bounced back from the slow start to give the Saints an almighty scare.
With the Bombers winning the third term with three goals to one and whittling the margin back to 12-points, it was anyone’s game heading into the final term.
Unimpressed with the third quarter effort, Nyora coach Fia Tootoo told his players at the final break they had got themselves into a challenge they would need to work hard to overcome.
He was correct, the match living up to social media page Gippsland Footy expectation of match of the day.
The Saints could only manage two behinds for the final term as the Bombers came storming home, with two final quarter goals not quite enough to steal victory.
Aiden Cumberland, Shaun Beecroft, Ryan Spooner, Dylan Heylen, Adam Tagliaferro and Ben Miller helped the Saints hold on.
Better players for Nilma-Darnum were not available at time of going to print.
The result will instil confidence into the Bombers, who sit one game outside the five and won’t be writing off hopes to play finals football.
For the Saints, they will know they will need to play better football if they are to account for an Ellinbank team on a high after accounting for the reigning premier last week.
Crows get job done
If Longwarry were to stamp themselves as one of the top teams in the competition, they simply needed to get the job done at home over a young Buln Buln side.
Despite the plucky Lyrebirds keeping in touch throughout the first half, the Crows did just that by kicking away to a comfortable victory, 14-17 (101) to 8-7 (55).
Kicking the only three majors of the third term opened up the handy buffer, with the Lyrebirds producing a competitive final term.
It’s further evidence the young Lyrebirds team are taking a step backwards to move forward, although supporters would have been impressed with the effort to push one of the top teams in the competition for three quarters.
Building to a solid four quarter effort will be next on the agenda for the young side.
Braydon McHugh kicked five goals for the Crows, while Cory Lenders chipped in with four majors.
Ruckman Nick Redley provided first use, with the likes of Riley Rundell, Russell Lehman and Jack Annning taking full advantage.
Adam Rakip, James Taylor, Jack Martyn, Ryan Bishop and Matt Gray led a competitive effort from Buln Buln, while Jake Pierrehumbert took confidence from his appearance in the community championship match to also feature among the better players.
Tigers thumped
Warragul Industrials maintained second position on the ladder, thumping a hapless Lang Lang 21-21 (147) to 1-4 (10).
The Industrials kicked five goals to one in the first term and the Tigers simply had no answers, only managing the one minor score for the remainder of the contest as the home side kicked away to a percentage boosting win.
With Longwarry and Ellinbank also sitting on five wins and reigning premier Catani just one win adrift, the added percentage could be important as sides jostle for the sought after second chance.
Jack Blakey ran rampant with seven goals, while Shane Brewster continued his form with three majors.
Tyson Bale, Luke O’Brien, Tye Holland and Stephen Ballingall were also prominent in the big win.
Stuart Casey, William McGindle, Josh Brown, Aidan Nooy, Travis Kitchin and Ben Barwick did their best to try and stem the tide for the Tigers.