Magpies break from the pack

POOWONG have broken away from the chasing mid-pack to move two games clear in the Ellinbank District football top five.

While an improved Nilma-Darnum again had its moments, slick run, carry and ball movement saw the Magpies superior for much of the contest to go on and win 17-12 (114) to 8-11 (59).

Micah Williames ensured the Magpies would be on the board from the opening bounce, brushing aside a tackle as he strolled through centre half forward for a long goal.

It would begin a run of six of the first seven goals as the Magpies assumed control early. Poowong soon had their second, their key forward heading to give a chop out in the ruck after converting.

Mitch De Kleuver and Mitch Molloy troubled the Bombers defence, finishing the day with seven goals between them.

The Bombers found a response to narrow the margin, before Jack Hazendonk converted from a lead to re-establish the buffer.

A juggled mark saw the Magpies add another before Thomas Robertson converted from on the run.

Poowong were winning the clearance battle and found Jarvis Brown on the lead from the centre break, the Magpies with a five-goal lead at the first change. A dribbled shot from the pocket saw Poowong on the board early in the second term, before a proud Bombers outfit went about a response.

Sage Tapner began the run of three consecutive goals, his sheer pace proving a problem for the Magpies at times throughout the contest as he finished with four majors.

Cody Harrison set up captain Oxley Huson for a long goal, before Tapner escaped to add another to close the margin to 15-points.

Nathan Campbell, Nick Carrigy, Jeremy Jarred and Billyjack Smith leading the way as the Bombers threatened.

It would be as close as they would get as Poowong steadied, kicking the next three goals to push the margin beyond five majors at the long break.

They would continue their run in the third term, taking the ball the length of the field to set yup Steve McInnes for a long goal, the Magpies running through another soon after.

Tapner's pace saw the Bombers add two more goals, only for the Magpies to respond and hold a 49-point buffer at the final change.

Mitchell van't Hof, Thomas Robertson, Williames and Luke Close saw the Magpies continue to take control, adding three goals to two in the final term.

Photographs by ALYSSA FRITZLAFF. Nilma-Darnum’s Sage Tapner takes off with the ball .

Poowong’s Jarvis Brown fires off a handball before Nilma-Darnum’s Ethan Carlisle closes in.

Jack Hazendonk and Mitch De Kleuver celebrate the latter’s goal for Poowong.

Nathan Campbell weaves his way through the traffic for Nilma-Darnum.