Warragul & Drouin Gazette

Big win for Bombers

- Davyd Reid

by

Nilma-Darnum continued its impressive start to the Ellinbank District season.

The Bombers comfortabl­y accounted for Catani in another indication the Bombers are set to climb the ladder, winning 20-6 (126) to 9-12 (66).

After sensationa­lly breaking the third longest active losing streak in Victoria in round one, Nilma-Darnum continued its strong form at home to progress its season to 2-1.

The Bombers again displayed ability to spread and find space, proving dangerous paired with sharp skill execution.

Quick ball movement saw Nilma-Darnum on the board early as Luke James made space to shepherd through the opener.

James again drew the player to allow Ben Campbell to bounce through a long shot, before James converted from a strong contested mark between two defenders.

Adam Young had set up the opportunit­y to cap a fast start for the Bombers, who had three goals in a matter of minutes.

The Bombers added another before Catani responded, setting up the wall well to score from a repeat entry.

Nathanael Dungey set up James for another to continue the hot start with Sage Tapner influentia­l through the middle.

Lauchlan Gregson responded from a contested mark but the Bombers were unfazed as Oxley Huson streamed from the middle to find Lucas Maffei on the lead.

James would roll through another to cap a high-scoring first term, the Bombers leading 8-1 to 4-1.

Catani entered the second term looking to stifle the Bombers' impressive ball movement. That they were able to do, but in turn they struggled to find avenues themselves.

Patrick Oyee, brought to the club to provide ruck assistance for Nick Carrigy, converted from a 50-metre penalty before Tapner was rewarded for a good mark in the forward 50.

Some fast ball movement from Catani saw the Blues score through Adam Splatt before some feeling crept into the game, opponents James and Dean Smith both sent off.

Gregson converted from the resultant free kick as the Blues looked to spark momentum heading into the long break.

It looked to continue into the second half as James Williams expertly kept the ball in to find Declan McFarlane for another goal.

But the Bombers were able to respond as they began to take advantage of turnover, an Oyee goal followed by a goal from Rickie Crockett from a Tapner receive.

Oyee and Crockett have come in to the Bombers side following breaks from football and had impact. Add to this a major from Tom Young after an injury lay off at Drouin, and it's another nod to some expert recruiting from Nilma-Darnum.

In a sign of Catani's day, McFarlane missed a grubber from point blank as the Bombers continued their charge.

A Maffei toe poke allowed James to stroll into the open goal as Carrigy continued to provide his midfielder­s with silver service.

James would finish with five as Tapner, Ben Campbell, Dungey, Young, Sebastian Crowle and Nathan Campbell continued to lead the charge.

The Blues would respond with consecutiv­e goals, only for the Bombers to close the third term with their 17th.

The match somewhat petered out in the final term, although the home side still added three goals as Tapner and Crockett continued to score.

Lachlan Seppings, Smith, Brodie White, Williams, Gregson and Thomas Keily continued to battle for the Blues.

 ?? ?? Nyora’s Bradley O’Brien and Poowong’s Mitch De Kleuver reach for the ball. Photograph­s by JAKUB FABIJANSKI.
Nyora’s Bradley O’Brien and Poowong’s Mitch De Kleuver reach for the ball. Photograph­s by JAKUB FABIJANSKI.
 ?? ?? Nyora’s Blake Boyd lays a tackle on Poowong’s Alex Henshall.
Nyora’s Blake Boyd lays a tackle on Poowong’s Alex Henshall.

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