Demons come from behind
Koo wee rup continued its recent theme of coming from behind to win, this time running over the top of Nar Nar Goon to win 10-9 (69) to 8-9 (57).
Playing in front of a big crowd on Saturday night with an Anzac ceremony preceding senior football and netball matches, it was the Goon who were slick and skilful early, kicking four goals to one in the second term to take a handy 28-point lead into half time.
The Demons kept it tight in the third term, restricting the Goon to just three behinds for the quarter to close the gap to 13-points at the final change. The Demons kept pressing and could have been in front were it not for a third quarter return of 2-6.
A goalless second half proved costly for the Goon, who failed to score in the final quarter. Mitchell Collins proved to be strong target when it mattered most, kicking a key goal as the Demons hit the front.
The contest promised to go down to the wire, but petered out when the Demons kicked two goals clear.
Bailey Galante kept driving the Demons forward and was awarded the Anzac medal.
Troy Dolan, Scott Houghton, Ben Kerrigan, David Collins and Nathan Muratore each played a strong second half to help the Demons over the line.
Trent Noy, Jesse Cribbes, Tyler Payroli, Brent Hughes, Zac Stewart and Jake Rose, who kicked three goals, helped set up the Goon’s strong first half.
Cobras find form
Cora Lynn rediscovered some muchneeded form, bouncing back to comfortably account for Garfield, 22-8 (140) to 8-7 (55).
Cora Lynn kicked five goals to no score in the first term and were never headed, despite the Stars showing some fight to match the Cobras across the second and third quarters.
The Cobras ran the game out better, slamming home eight goals in the final quarter to blow the margin out.
Jai Rout took best on ground honours with seven goals, while Nathan Langley kicked five majors and Ryan Gillis chipped in with three. Nathan Gillis, Justin Markiluja, Dylan McLaren and Shaun Sparks were other prominent players for the Cobras.
The Stars were best served by Daniel Johnson, who kicked four goals. He was assisted by Ned Marsh, Jonathon Sauze, Dean Johnson, Tyson Payne and William Collis.
Dirty day for Dogs
Bunyip had a dirty day at Inverloch, failing to score a goal against the competition front runners.
The Bulldogs could only muster five behinds against the premiership fancies, failing to hold them bar the third quarter, where the Sea Eagles were kept to just two goals in a torrid term.
The third quarter aside, InverlochKongwak scored heavily to win 22-18 (150) to 0-5 (5).
Toby Mahoney continued his form in front of goal, booting four majors.
Other better players for the Sea Eagles were Corey Casey, Tom Hams, Josh Purcell, William Heatherington and Patrick Jobling.
Brad Wolfe’s successful return to senior football (he was named amongst the Bulldogs better players) was a bright spot on an otherwise dark day for Bunyip. Other better players were Lachlan Petch, Shane Smith, Joel Gibson, Mathew Miller and Ben Jostlear.
Panthers win thriller
Rivals Kilcunda Bass and Phillip Island turned on a thriller, with the Panthers finishing just five points to the good, 8-13 (61) to 8-8 (56).
Jason Wells returned to form, booting five goals, while Brent Macaffer, Ben Law, Danny Wells, Tim Smith and Matthew Edwards were also instrumental in getting the Panthers over the line.
Jaymie Youle, Jack Keating, Mark Griffin, Nick Higginson, Jarrod Witnish and Jarrod Andreata were the better players for Phillip Island.
Giants in woe
Korumburra-Bena’s season of woe continued, this time going down heavily to Dalyston, 17-22 (124) to 7-10 (52).
Michael Marotta kicked five goals for the Magpies, with Kyle Kirk, Kristian Butler, Dean Wylie, Kainen Schrape and Matt Rosendale other key players.
Jake McMillan, Cameron Trewin, Luke Van Rooy, William Jeffs, Ashley Snooks and Alex Johnston battled hard for the Giants.