Second half surge gives Eagles the win
WHILE its senior side failed to knock off the undefeated Neerim-Neerim South, the Ellinbank under 18 side proved up to the task.
Restricting Matthew Roberts, who has kicked big bags of goals in recent weeks, proved key to the outcome as the Eagles surged in the second half to win 8-9 (57) to 5-5 (35).
Trailing by three points at half time, the Eagles kicked five goals in an impressive third term to open a comfortable 28-point buffer at the final change.
The Cats finished with the only goal of the final term, but the damage had been done.
Yarragon held on for a stirring one-point victory over Longwarry, with Panther inaccuracy keeping the Crows in the contest.
Longwarry scored more goals but went down 6-11 (47) to 7-4 (46).
The Panthers took control early as they raced to a 27-point lead before the Crows hit back with four goals of their own to reduce the half time margin to 11.
Longwarry kept coming, adding two goals in the third to close the margin to one point.
Each side scored one goal in a tense finish to the final quarter, Yarragon scraping in to win.
Ellinbank scored a narrow win over a determined Neerim-Neerim South in the under 16s.
With scores locked at the final change, the Eagles finished with a slight edge to win 6-3 (39) to 5-6 (36).
Other matches saw comfortable wins to Lang Lang and Longwarry, where margins could have been greater if for better accuracy.
A five-goal final term finished off a strong performance from the Crows to defeat Poowong 12-16 (88) to 2-3 (15).
Lang Lang also kicked away late, adding three goals in the final quarter to overcome a determined Trafalgar, 7-15 (57) to 2-4 (16).