Cats prevail despite Bloods challenge
Neerim-Neerim South and Trafalgar played out another finals like battle in round three of Ellinbank District football.
It was the Cats who would prevail to secure an important second win of the season, winning 8-10 (58) to 6-11 (47), but not without challenge from the Bloods.
Both sides spent considerable time testing each other out, before the Cats added two goals in quick succession.
The home side added the first goal of the second term before Trafalgar finally broke through mid-way through the quarter.
The Cats closed the second quarter with two goals to take a 24-point lead into the long break, but the Bloods aren't a side to just lie down.
The Bloods responded with the next four majors to level the scores, with only a late goal helping the home side to a narrow lead at the final change. Trafalgar again got within Bryce Joyce, Timothee Mashado and six points in the final term, only Brad Wolfe. Leading a competitive for the Cats to add a late steadier. effort from Yarragon were Bradley
Kody Wilson, Josh White, Dean Morgan, Brayden Hefford, Lachlan Stringer, Tyssen Morrow, Alexander King, Taylor Rainey, Brett Coghill Johnston and Ayden Ramm helped and Devin Pollock. the Cats hold firm. POOWONG comfortably accounted
Helping the Bloods challenge were for its South Gippsland rival Nyora Dylan Farrell, Curtis Barker, Liam to keep in touch with the top five. Coulthard, Bailey Webb, Mathew The Saints kept in touch in a low Devon and Klay Butler. scoring first half, entering the long
ELLINBANK bounced back and break just 19-points in arrears. re-affirmed itself as a finals contender, comfortably accounting for Yarragon The Magpies built the lead from 13-15 (93) to 7-4 (46). there, doubling its output with four
The Eagles burst out of the blocks goals in the third term to extend the with five goals to one in the first term lead to 38-points on the way to winning ensuring they would control the contest 13-13 (91) to 4-4 (28). from the outset. Mitch Molloy, Alex Henshall,
It proved the difference as the Panthers Conor Cunningham, Andrew Logan, put forward a competitive effort Zac Gray and David O'Neill led the across the final three quarters. way for the home side.
Michael Urie kicked four goals in Nyora were best served by William a best afield effort, ably assisted by Mcgindle, Jesse Heylen, Lachie Cambell Jolly, Makaio Haywood, Fievez, Santo Joma and Blake Boyd.
WARRAGUL AND DROUIN GAZETTE April 23 2024 Page 59