Ellinbank take it up to team to beat

Neerim-Neerim South remain the team to beat after comfortably accounting for Ellinbank in round seven of Ellinbank District football, 1711 (113) to 12-5 (77).

The win gave the Cats top spot on the ladder outright, but Ellinbank spectators and officials will be pleased that the Eagles showed they have what it takes to match the Cats.

A report and subsequent send off of Ellinbank forward Matt Barrand proved a key moment in the game, with the Cats taking full advantage of the extra player in a brutal 15minute blast that saw them build a handy lead.

From facing a half time deficit of five points, the Cats went into threequarter-time with a 34-point lead that was always going to be difficult for the Eagles to chase.

Neerim-Neerim South’s Aaron Fawcett scored first to hit the front, before Ellinbank coach Ben Wragg earnt a free kick for a hold to regain the lead.

The contest had been tight throughout the match and a close finish was on the cards in a match that carried finals like intensity and atmosphere.

Up until that point the highly anticipated clash between the top two teams had lived up to its hype, only to fizzle to a disappointing end as the Cats took charge.

With Barrand sent off for a crude hit on Aiden Dibsdale, the Cats took full opportunity from the gift downfield to regain the lead.

With the advantage of an extra player the Cats went on a charge.

A long kick towards goal was shepherded over the line, and that was quickly followed by another as the Cats worked towards building a lead.

A snap from Michael Urie was followed by another goal set up by Kody Wilson as the Cats kicked clear.

Urie added another long goal before coach Allan Chandler snapped from the pack.

Chandler returned to his damaging best in the big match, finishing with five majors.

A long shot on goal on the side was converted to give the Cats a handy buffer at the final change.

Although the margin was always going to be difficult to reel in, a frenetic final term which realised six goals to each side whet the appetite for the return match later this season.

Shaun Phelan ran into the open goal for the first major of the final term as the Eagles set about finishing with some pride.

Aholding the ball free kick and 50 metre penalty gave Wragg another, followed by further ill discipline from the Cats which allowed the Eagles to score again from a 50 metre penalty.

All of a sudden it was the Eagles on the charge, giving spectators some hope od a miraculous comeback.

A run of four consecutive goals to the Cats put paid to those hopes, with Michael Urie’s clearance to find brother Chris for a one-handed mark the inspiration for another mini surge.

Wilson marked out wide and despite cramping before taking the kick, went long to set up another successful Chandler snap for the Cats fourth in a row.

To their credit Ellinbank still finished strongly.

Keegan Bott found himself in front for a snapped kick forward, before Jeremy Reid converted from a snap forward from Andrew Quirk in what was almost a carbon copy play.

Tom Metselaar and Nathan Bayne set up a snap for the Cats’ 17th, before the Eagles finished the match with an impressive play , Toby Wallace and Cameron Parker handled to set up Daniel Barrand for a goal right on the siren.

Some confusion finished the match, with Ellinbank players failing to hear the siren and calling for a player count after Cats bench players wandered onto the ground upon completion of the Barrand kick.

It followed a similar end to the second term, where an out of zone field umpire had to run to stop play as the Cats pressed forward.

Earlier, the two sides had played out an entertaining and competitive first half that was worthy of finals status.

The Eagles were first to score with a running goal in what started as a tight tussle.

The Cats hit back before the Eagles scored a goal on the rebound with the contest going goal for goal.

Michael Urie set up the Cats for a long goal but again the Eagles hit back, with Daniel and Matt Barrand combining to send it long for Wragg to convert with a snap. A tight second term followed. A long goal to Tyssen Morrow levelled the scores, before a mark and goal from Wragg put the Eagles back in front.

Ashley Lockett converted from out wide to level the scores.

JacksonParker found space late in the term to convert, giving the Eagles a narrow lead and high hopes heading into the second half.