First win for Nilma-Darnum
IT was early delight for Nilma-Darnum supporters as the Bombers reserves delivered the first win of the season for the football club.
An opportunity presented against another club equally undermanned in Catani, and the Bombers made the most of their opportunities to win a tight affair 4-7 (31) to 3-10 (28).
It made braving the wet and cold conditions worth their while after witnessing a contest that was tight throughout.
Oakley Addison, Harrison Moore, Kyle Robinson, Matt Cheyne, Justin Dessent and David Walters led the Bombers in their quest for victory, while helping Catani remain in the contest to the end were Coby Podd, Shaun Donnelly, Liam Ancilleri, Joshua Bethune, Josh Miller and Mitch Hovenbitzer.
Lang Lang accounted for Ellinbank in another tight contest.
Holding a one-point advantage at the final change, the Tigers booted the only two goals of the final term to win 6-3 (39) to 4-3 (27).
Bryce Fraser, Mark Penn, Aaron Ouwehand, Lachlan Howie and Jack Sullivan helped the Tigers hold firm, while leading a competitive effort for Ellinbank were Darren Blaney, Sam Brown, Sam Barwick, Billy Auldist, Thomas Bingham and Liam Lisle.
Depth of the leading senior clubs shone through in the other matches.
Buln Buln comfortably accounted for Yarragon, with a one goal third term the only drop off as they won 10-8 (68) to 1-0 (6).
Most of the Lyrebirds players named in their best have senior level experience, which ultimately proved the difference. Those best players were Jack Nuttall, Bryce Monahan, Jaryd Kelly, Jack Martyn, Josh Bloink and Jarrod Castle.
Yarragon's better players were Daniel Burke, Ryan Young, Lucas Kilday, Nathan Mazza, Nathanael Dungey and Chris Brook.
Wintry conditions didn't prevent some big scores, with Neerim-Neerim South putting in a strong four quarter effort to defeat Longwarry 20-17 (137) to 2-6 (18).
Matthew Pecoraro, Adam White, Rhys George, Scott Muir (five goals), Benjamin Lockett and Harry Notman were the better players in the strong win.
Best players for the Crows were Luke Taveira, Shaun Eckhardt, Mitchell Young, Jarryd Kilday, Josh Collett and Corey Heagney.
Trafalgar booted seven goals in the first term to take early control of its contest with Nyora.
The Bloods kicked the highest score of the round, 24-8 (152), while keeping the Saints to just four behinds in an impressive effort.
Scoring was shared in a strong team effort from Trafalgar, which was led by Harrison Malady, Brodie Burgess, Brett Cameron, Jackson Noonan, Owen Zimora and Mathew Devon.
The undermanned Saints side was led by Lachie Fievez, Lincoln Brock, Ben Pugh, Dylan Harkin, Blake Thompson and Lesdon Tauti.