Saints on track for top finish
Nyora just about made certain of the minor premiership with victory over Nilma-Darnum, 12-10 (82) to 7-6 (48).
With the Bombers playing for pride they were far from disgraced, matching it with their more fancied opponents in the second and final terms.
Perhaps it was coach Matt Shorey making a return to playing senior football that inspired them, Shorey showing he hasn’t lost it as he finished with five of his sides seven goals to be the most effective forward on the day.
The Saints had made a fast start with five goals to one in the first term and looked set for a big afternoon, but the Bombers were able to show some fight.
Four goals to one in the second term brought the margin back to four points to set up a second half contest.
The Saints kicked clear to a 29-point lead at the final change and were quick to extinguish any faint hopes early in the final term.
The Bombers fought it out until the end, with both sides registering two goals as the match petered out in the final term.
Iian Osman booted three goals for Nyora, while Anthony Galley, Dylan Heylen, Sam Burns, Aiden Cumberland, Ryan Spooner and Sam Dixon helped the Saints control the match in key moments.
Ben Campbell, James Bourke, Shorey, Ben Lucas, Chris Larosa and Travis Dyke helped keep the Bombers in the contest.
Magpies back in five
Poowong climbed back into the top five with victory over Neerim-Neerim South, 10-12 (72) to 4-1 (25).
The Cats started with the strong form that saw them comfortably account for rivals Ellinbank recently, taking a three-point lead into quarter time over their fancied opponents.
Unfortunately for the Cats they couldn’t sustain that effort, with their next goal not coming until the final term.
In the meantime the Magpies kicked away, adding five goals in the second term to open a handy buffer before adding the only two goals of the third term to effectively have the match in their keeping.
A torrid final term ensued, each side managing one goal.
Matthew Cozzio, Josh Chaivaroli, Chris Robinson, Michael Harris, Joseph Bisognin and Tim Francis helped the Magpies control the match beyond quarter time.
Aaron Fawcett, Matthew Sweet, Tim Beaurain, Toby Bayne, Jack Griffiths and Matthew Quigley helped the Cats make a strong start.
Dusties hold third
Warragul Industrials kept its hold on third position on the ladder, comfortably accounting for Lang Lang 18-16 (124) to 5-8 (38).
The Tigers were competitive in the first term, trailing by just one-point at the first change.
However the Industrials took advantage to the scoring end, adding five goals to no score to open a handy buffer at the long break.
Five goals to three in the third term increased the margin and again the Industrials capitalised in the final term, booting the final six goals of the match.
Shane Brewster booted six goals, while Tye Holland finished with five majors.
Tyson Bale, Will Gibson, Cooper Minichiello and Travis Ogden were also prominent.
Jake Dwyer, Tim Elmes, Ben Barwick, Troy McPherson, Stuart Casey and Clint Fulton helped the Tigers compete in patches.
Crows bounce back
Longwarry bounced back to comfortably account for Buln Buln, 17-16 (118) to 8-10 (58).
The Lyrebirds kept in touch with the Crows early, but 10 goals to four after half time ensured the Crows would win well.
Daniel Fry and Josh Bourke each kicked three goals, while Troy Lehman, Kane Oldham, Cory Lenders, Danny Wells and Cole Cook were also prominent.
Bryce Monahan kicked six of his sides’ eight goals, while Matt Gray, Simon Dawson, Harry Wans, Trent Baker and Jake Pierrehumbert also battled against the odds.