Industrials 18s finish with pride

Warragul Industrials may not have had the year they were looking for in the Ellinbank District Football League under 18s, but their efforts on Saturday would have left a lot of club supporters with some pride.

Severely impacted by a lack of numbers in the age group this year, finals was never going to be in the picture.

However the team has continued to fight hard and has been in many games, but without anything to play for against a team that has already booked its place in the finals, you could have been forgiven for going through the motions.

That was far from the case as the Industrials fought hard in their efforts to steal the points over their fancied Ellinbank opponents.

With scored level at half time and just two points in it at the final change, the first of a few upsets across the day was brewing.

Unfortunately for the Industrials, it was Ellinbank who scored the only goal of the final term to hold on and win by seven points, 8-2 (50) to 6-7 (43).

Mathew Bow, Marcello Downie, Aaron Bloink, Callum Auldist, Brydon Price and Nicholas Matheson stood up when it counted for Ellinbank.

Gary Lantjin kicked three goals for the Industrials, while Harrison Perry, Luke Kinder backing up from the under 16s, Oliver Marek, Blake Kahan and Marcus Robinson also helped the home side threaten to produce an upset.

Cats firm favorite

Other results followed the recent trend of one-sided affairs as the top teams continued strong form ahead of the finals.

The undefeated Neerim-Neerim South only further enhanced it favortism for the premiership, thumping reigning premier Catani who currently sit second on the ladder.

While regularly relying on some under 16 players to top up each week, the Cats’ strong core of players have proven far too strong for opposition sides again and again.

It was no different this week as the Cats kicked six goals to one in the first term to race out to an early lead.

The Blues fought hard to win the second quarter but couldn’t sustain it as the Cats kicked away, booting nine goals to two after half time to win 16-9 (105) to 5-6 (36).

Corey Peterson kicked four goals for the Cats, while Justin Lockett chipped in with three majors.

Cooper Clancy, Rhys George, Adam White and Isaac Fuller were also dominant for the home side.

League leading goal kicker Lauchlan Gregson booted four goals but was a lone hand.

Ronald Smith, Jason Cox, Ryan Hanegraaf, Nickolas Willemsen and Geordie Wells also battled against the odds.

Buln make fast start

Buln Buln easily accounted for a Lang Lang side that continued to demonstrate its patchy form.

The Lyrebirds slammed through 11 goals to one in the first half to put the match in their keeping.

The Tigers have been competitive in patches and this time it came in the third term, with the visitor booting one goal to two.

The Lyrebirds resumed control in the final term, booting six goals to one to break the 100-point margin, 19-9 (123) to 3-2 (20).

Marko Kulas, Jake Smith, Chad Hall and Flynn O’Reilly led a long list of goal kickers for the home side, with Jesse Brown, Nelson Brew, Bailey Wright and Eric Ceron also prominent.

Ethan Whittle, Dakota Boswell, Jackson McDonnell, Brad Ventura, Mason Koffman and Rhys Simmons led a competitive third term for the Tigers.

Magpies defeat Saints

Poowong comfortably accounted for neighbour Nyora, 13-12 (90) to 1-5 (11).

The Magpies gradually worked to a match winning margin before finishing their work with the funal four goals of the match.

Joshua McNally kicked five goals, while Mitchel Van’T Hof, Darcy Loughridge, Jacksen Barlow, Noah Peacock and Zac Gray also helped the Magpies take control.

Tyson Fievez, Lincoln Brock, Hayden Smith, Kevin Farley, Blake Boyd and Travis Stewart were the better players to cap a difficult year for the Saints that leaves just the one question.

Who won the prize of the car, which had been put up by the club as a recruiting measure at the start of the season?