Longwarry holds Catani off all day
It was Longwarry who took the chocolates on Saturday, winning by 25 points against Catani at home.
A win was always possible for the Blues' but the in-form Crows kept it out of their reach for the whole game. Although coming close, Catani did not lead at any point in the game.
After the opening bounce the Crows grabbed the lead and held on. They finished the quarter with more than double the tally that belonged to their visitors -- 33 points to Longwarry, 14 to Catani.
The second term saw the Blues come closer to a lead. They entered the main break trailing by just seven points.
But the Crows were not going to let their rivals gain any kind of foot hold in the game. The third term saw the home side kick four goals four and bring their tally to 83, 20 points in front of Catani.
The final term saw Longwarry's sharpshooters boot an additional six goals. To their credit, Catani managed a five-goal effort in response.
The final scoreline read 18.11-119 to 14.10-94. The margin might have been greater had Longwarry star Jake Serong not left the field with a shoulder injury.
Nathan Fry was best on for Longwarry. Nicholas Redley, Tye Holland, Kane Oldham, Braydon McHugh and Jake Serong were also influential. For Catani it was Paul Pattison who walked away as his side's best man on the day. Liam Adams, Trent Adams, Jackson Caddy, Dylan Williams and Matt Barrand received honourable mentions. Trent Adams was particularly important in the forward flank. Saturday's results keeps Longwarry in the top spot on the ladder. They are just holding on -Ellinbank trail them but only on percentage.
Catani drop to seventh although for all intents and purposes are on par with Buln Buln with only .2 per cent separating the two sides.
Longwarry enjoy another home game in round 10, taking on Neerim Neerim South on Saturday. Catani are also at home on Saturday and will face Poowong.
Poowong demolition Poowong held a clinic at home on Saturday and Nilma Darnum were the guests of honour. Their percentage-building performance finished with a 79-point margin -- 125 to 46.
The demolition began at the opening bounce. Four goals three to the Pies. In response -- a terribly inaccurate one goal five.
The second term was no better for the Bombers. They added another two majors to their tally but Poowong doubled that by the main break, finishing the second quarter with another four goals and four behinds.
But the margin really started to open up in the third. Poowong held a 29-point lead heading into the quarter and finished the term with a 57-point lead.
The visitors managed just one major where the Pies kicked five goals four. Poowong more than consolidated their win in the fourth term, kicking five goals six and bringing their final tally to 125 points.
The Bombers managed to put another two majors on the board but their final 6.10-46 was clearly not enough. Jack Hazendonk was best on ground for the home side. Josh Chiavaroli, Josh McNally, Trevor Hooker, Michael Harris and Jake Cochrane were also influential. Hazendonk and Hooker's four goals each were particularly important.
Ben Campbell was Nilma Darnum's best man on the day.
He was backed up by the outstanding contributions of Travis Dyke, Tanner Thomsen, Noah Ketchen and Jeremy Jarred. Nilma Darum continue to languish at the bottom of the ladder and do not look as if they will be moving up soon.
Poowong stay in third place. Poowong play Catani at Catani in their round 10 clash on Saturday. Nilma Darnum play Yarragon at home.