Neerim South demonstate distinct gap
NEERIM-NEERIM SOUTH and Trafalgar showed why they are currently leading the pack in Ellinbank District football, belying the wintry conditions to kick big scores and easily account for their opposition in round 10.
Helping their cause was the fact many grounds across the district held up well despite experiencing persistent rain across the day.
Despite coming up against the third-placed Longwarry, the Cats demonstrated there is a considerable gap as they kicked away to win 20-13 (133) to 3-5 (23).
Not satisfied with building a 12 goal to three advantage, the Cats booted the last eight goals of the game to run out a big win.
The home side again showed it had plenty of avenues to goal, Luke Kinder leading a band of nine scorers with four goals.
Also among the better players for the Cats were Tyssen Morrow, Kody Wilson, Isaac Fuller, Ben Fitzpatrick and Cooper Clancy.
Best for the Crows were Nicholas Redley, Bailey Stephens, Ben Cuckson, Daniel Pullen, Brody Hamilton and Hamish Busk.
TRAFALGAR scored the highest total for the round, and it could have been greater had it been for better accuracy in the second term.
Nyora were competitive early before the Bloods kicked away to win 19-20 (134) to 2-5 (17).
Despite a return of 3-10 in the second term, Trafalgar had built a handy 43-point buffer at the long break and went on with it in the second half, booting nine goals to one.
It was the running players that led the scoring, unsurprising given the conditions, as Matthew Swenson booted four and Klay Butler three.
Other better players were Matthew Van Schajik, Klay Butler, Samuel Wyatt, Tristan Marslen and Blake Slater.
Battling to try and gain some ascendancy for Nyora were Adam and Scott Pugh, Jesse and Dylan Heylen, Brodie Anderson and Jack Rosenow.
BULN BULN held on against a fast-finishing Yarragon for an important narrow win in a score line which better reflected the conditions for the day.
Despite not scoring in the final term, the Lyrebirds won 3-6 (24) to 3-3 (21).
The Panthers scored the only goal of the first term and despite the Lyrebirds working their way back into the contest, it was the home side taking a narrow two-point lead as they returned to the changerooms.
Shaun Beecroft joined Matt Gray and Reece Campbell in the scoring party as the Lyrebirds booted the only two goals of the third term to open an eight-point lead at the final change.
As they have done in recent weeks, Yarragon would come again in another strong finish to threaten to take the points.
Captain Mitch Jolly proved a handy inclusion, as he would finish the only multiple goal scorer on the day as the Panthers drew within three points in a thrilling finish to give the Lyrebirds a scare.
Jake Herbel, Beecroft, Jake Pierrehumbert, Jared Lane, Brandon Allen and Gray helped the Lyrebirds hold firm.
Leading the charge for Yarragon were Damien Allison, Sam van der Zalm, Josh Vosper, Tyler Payroli, Leigh Diston and Lachlan Shaw.