Gallant Nilma caught short
Nilma-Darnum may have turned a corner from their early season struggles judging by the effort on show against Buln Buln on Saturday.
If they were to be defined by effort, the Bombers could not be faulted as they troubled their opposition who had run with reigning premier Nyora for three quarters and scored an impressive win over Poowong in the early rounds.
Despite losing their ruckman through the week due to the travel wearing him down, the Bombers competed well and had every chance to win despite the Lyrebirds steadying to hold on, 7-12 (54) to 6-7 (43).
Facing a nine-point deficit at the final change, the Bombers made a final charge but were ultimately let down when a yellow card was plucked out for Travis Dyke mid-way through the term, with Dyke one of their better players to that point.
The Bombers had been defending well all match, and it continued to start the final term, as the home team thwarted three attacks from the Lyrebirds.
The wheel turned with the Bombers getting on top and moving forward from a 50 metre penalty, but couldn’t quite pull down the pack mark from the kick forward.
A snap from the pocket sailed out on the full before some inspiration from Patrick Chin cut the margin to five points, dancing around the man on the mark at centre half forward to slot the goal for his fourth of the afternoon.
Buln Buln missed a chance to steady before the home side was dealt a blow with Dyke being sent off, an umpire picking up an offence off the ball to cause some confusion amongst spectators around the ground, who had been watching the play.
Dylan Cann, Jeremy Jarred, Oxley Huson, James Bourke and Nicholas Murray had also led a stellar effort from the Bombers, along with Ben Campbell who competed well in stints in the ruck with his big leap.
Still sensing an opportunity to win the match, the Bombers lifted their intensity and effort.
Dylan Cann and Chin handled to set up Ben Campbell for a goal to hit the front as the home crowd found voice.
The Bombers were finding run and energy, matching it with desperate defence, but the outnumber eventually began to have an effect.
Luke O’Brien scored a checkside goal to put the Lyrebirds back in front, sapping the Bombers’ energy and breaking the home crowd’s hearts.
Sensing a final chance late, the Bombers moved from defence quickly but the Lyrebirds used the extra number to set up a final goal and 13-point victory.
Earlier, it was Buln Buln who converted first through a strong mark but it was the home side who dominated most of the play in the first quarter.
Dyke made a flying shot at the goal and it paid off, while Chin converted after a crude attempt at a spoil.
When a snap was converted in the first minute of the second term, the Bombers kicked clear.
Buln Buln began to pick up possession but couldn’t capitalise on their opportunities, scoring seven behinds for the quarter as the Bombers did a good job of defending and holding their opposition up.
Buln Buln converted from the pocket to close the gap before Brandon Allen snapped truly to put the Lyrebirds in front.
Matt Gray scored a long goal from a free kick from the ruck contest but the Bombers pulled it back through a snap from Chin in a contest that was becoming a real arm wrestle.
A free kick for an arm chop late in the term gave the Lyrebirds a narrow lead at the final change.
Not to be outdone, the Bombers pushed hard in the final term but ultimately couldn’t hold their energy while being a player down.
Gray, Jake Herbel, O’Brien, Trent Baker, Thomas Park and Jack Symes helped the Lyrebirds hold firm as the Bombers well and truly made them earn the four points.