Ellinbank close with epic win
Ellinbank supporters would no doubt be left with a feeling of what could have been after the senior team finished the Ellinbank District Football League season with a fighting two-point win over second-placed Longwarry.
The 9-9 (63) to 9-7 (61) result ensured the top two teams would enter the finals series with a loss, with fifth-placed Poowong set to enter its elimination final on a high following its upset win over neighbour Nyora.
The Crows, who used the dead rubber to blood talented youngster Bailey Stephens, were no doubt down on output but that was taking nothing away from a determined Ellinbank side that fought hard for victory.
The Eagles, whose season was ravaged by injury at costly stages through the middle part, will no doubt use the result to spark them into action for next season.
With a strong wind favouring the WarragulKorumburra Rd end of the ground, there was little between the sides as they headed for the sheds locked at 5-4 apiece.
The Eagles utilised the advantage in the third term, kicking three goals to kick 20points clear at the final change.
Such was the strength of the wind a booming kick from Longwarry coach Daniel Fry looked set to carry from centre half forward, only for the ball to change course and begin coming back.
Longwarry entered the final term with the advantage and not without their chances if they could get their game up and going.
An impressive baulk from Russell Lehman failed to materialise into a score and Ellinbank’s ability to keep the ball locked in its half for much of the first stages of the quarter would prove instrumental in holding on for victory.
The Crows had been doing their best to move the ball quickly, but the Eagles defenders were able to set up well.
When Cole Cook run into an open goal to get the Crows going, eight minutes had already elapsed.
Ellinbank coach Ben Wragg took a telling flying mark to deny the Crows in a further demonstration of fight shown by the Eagles.
With the wind a significant advantage the Crows would keep on coming. They were assisted by a 50 metre penalty but failed to take full advantage, with the shot missing.
A Crows goal followed soon after, but Ellinbank found the immediate response against the run of play to go a step closer to pinching the four points.
Not to be denied, a snap on goal was quickly followed by another as the Crows reduced the margin to just two points to set up a tense finish as the match headed into time on.
It set up a fitting lead in to the finals as the crowd, a few seemingly well plied with alcohol, really started to find voice and get into the game.
Ruck Ben Cuckson, Jake Delphine, Kane Oldham, Russell Lehman, Cook and Brody Rundell had been key players in the Crows’ push for victory.
For the Eagles, it had been Mark Vassett, Tom Johnson (three goals), Ash Wallace, Michael Urie, Ben Wragg and Shaun Phelan fighting to finish the season on a high.
It would be Ellinbank who would have the composure in the dying stages.
Afforded an opportunity to play keepings off at the 24-minute mark, the Eagles played the percentages to go down the line and force the ball out of bounds as the siren sounded soon after to mark one of the best wins of the year for the home side.