Nilma Darnum go down to a strong Longwarry

In a result that was somewhat expected, bottom side Nilma Darnum went down to second-placed Longwarry at Nilma Darnum on Saturday.

The Crows more than accounted for the Bombers, winning by 104 points. It was clear from the outset that although the ground was Nilma Darnum’s, the game belonged to Longwarry.

The Crows kicked four goals three in the first term, opening up a 19-point margin and outpacing the Bombers who had kicked one goal and two behinds in that time.

Longwarry continued to play their own game, albeit with questionable accuracy, and they added three goals seven to their tally. Nilma Darnum could not keep pace with the Crows, adding just one more major and a behind to their tally before halftime.

And after the main break, the Bomber again could not match Longwarry’s rate of scoring. The Crows put one behind on the scoreboard in the third term, bringing their scoreline to 2.4-16. Longwarry on the other hand more than double their tally and decided to use the match as a percentage building opportunity.

The Crows kicked eight goals one in the third term, breaking through the 100-point mark and bringing their tally to 15.11-101 before the final quarter. That meant Nilma Darnum had an impossible 85 points to make up if they wanted a positive end to the day.

Nilma Darnum did indeed step up their work rate in the final term and almost doubled their tally. The Bombers kicked an additional 18 points – three majors – to bring their final tally to 5.4-34, but it was not enough to draw remotely near Longwarry, who finished the day on 21.12-138.

Russell Lehman was the Crows’ best man on the day. Jedd Serong, Tye Holland, Troy Lehman, Riley Rundell and Kane Oldham was made important contributions. Best on ground for Nilma Darnum went to Dylan Cann. Benjamin Campbell, Nicholas Murray, Casey Thompsen, Noah Ketchen and Korey Carrison were also influential.

No ladder changes come as a result of Saturday’s clash. Longwarry remain the number two side, two games behind top team Ellinbank. Nilma Darnum continue to languish at the bottom of the ladder. They have registered just one victory this season.

The Bombers will meet Neerim Neerim South at Neerim South on Saturday while Longwarry will host Yarragon in their round 16 clash.

The big men fly high to contest the ball in this marking duell between Lang Lang’s Joseph Dalgleish and Buln Buln’s Matt Gray.

Matthew Pearson loses his footing as he tries to keep the ball in play while Lang Lang’s Andrew Thompson is determined to keep him from breaking the tackle.