Saints prospects still in air
Nyora’s prospects for season 2018 remain up in the air after they fell in against a young Buln Buln side, 3-14 (32) to 3-11 (29).
With wintery conditions playing havoc across the league, it was difficult to get a read on how many teams are shaping up.
It was the second consecutive week that the young Lyrebirds team put in a brave effort, but a return of 1-7 in the final term saw an opportunity wasted to steal four points from a fancied opponent.
Leading by nine points at the final change, the Saints could have been further ahead given their return of 2-13.
A return of nine behinds to half time allowed the Lyrebirds to remain in the contest, leading by just one point at half time.
The Lyrebirds created opportunities in the final term but couldn’t capitalise, falling short to the tune of three points.
Recruits Ryan Spooner, Rhys Bancroft and Shaun Beecroft were instrumental in helping the Saints to a positive result, with Dylan Heylen, Adam Tagliaferro and Sam Burns also key players.
Key players returning to the side helped the Lyrebirds cause, including Charlie Park who finished among the better players.
Young recruit Thomas Axford, Jack Martyn, James Taylor, Matt Gray, Sean Symes and Matthew Notman also put Buln Buln in a position to steal the result.
With Trent Baker still to return to the side, the Lyrebirds will be hopeful of being competitive against the top sides.
The Saints have comfortably accounted for a struggling Neerim-Neerim South and fallen in against a determined young Buln Buln side.
A date with reigning premier Catani next week should give a better indication of where the Saints are at.
Eagles kick away
Ellinbank kicked away in the third term to shake off a persistent Nilma-Darnum, winning 8-11 (59) to 5-9 (39).
Much like its first round match against Longwarry, the Bombers were able to hold a narrow lead in the first half.
Much talk around the grounds at half time was around the possibility the Bombers may be a threat under new coach Matt Shorey.
Unfortunately for the Bombers the verdict on that is still out.
Unable to maintain the same effort that delivered the result against another early season fancy in the Crows, it saw the Eagles kick away with five goals in the third term to set up a 26-point lead that would prove unassailable given the conditions.
The Bombers won the final term, kicking two goals to one as the match petered out.
Matthew Barrand and Mathew Robertson helped get the Eagles going, kicking five goals between them.
Michael Urie made a welcome return to form, while recruit Francis D’Agostino gave first use in the ruck. Coach Ben Wragg and captain Mark Vassett led the way, while Thomas Robertson was also prominent.
Goal scorers and better players for NilmaDarnum were not available at time of going to print.
Fast start Blues
Reigning premier Catani made the use of better conditions early to set up its win over Poowong, 8-6 (54) to 5-7 (37).
The Blues kicked four goals to one in the first term to establish a buffer, their 17-point lead at quarter time maintained at the final siren.
The two sides slogged it out for the remainder of the match. The Magpies won the second quarter with two goals to one, before each side could only manage one goal in each of the final two terms in a torrid finish to the match.
Owen Fitzpatrick was a strong target for the Blues, steering through four goals.
Jackson Caddy continued his good form in the ruck, while James and John Alexander and Thomas Van Diemen were also prominent.
Challenged to maintain his league best and fairest form from last season, Paul Pattison has delivered with strong performances in the opening rounds.
Chris Robinson, Alex Doria, Peter Edwards, Tim Francis, Tim Hancock and Jai Newcombe helped the Magpies turn the screws after quarter time.
Cats miss chance
Neerim-Neerim South missed an opportunity when it fell to Lang Lang, 6-11 (47) to 3-6 (24).
With some of its recruits not ultimately getting over the line, the Tigers bid to move up the ladder will prove challenging.
Having suffered a big loss to reigning premier Catani in the opening round, the Tigers were vulnerable, and the Cats failed to capitalise after showing some promise against the Saints last week.
With scores locked at quarter time, the Tigers kicked two goals to no score in the second term to open up a handy 16-point buffer given the conditions.
It was the Tigers ability to hold firm against the breeze that proved the difference, matching the Cats in the third term to enter the final change with a 13-point lead.
The Tigers managed 1-4 to no score in the final term to run out comfortable victor.
Stuart Casey, Brad Michie, Danyon Blew, Troy McPherson, Andrew Thompson and Jack Brickwood helped engineer victory for the Tigers.
Jackson Ward, Nathan Bayne, Aaron Fawcett, Ashley Lockett, Dean Stringer and Chris Saunders did their best to keep the Cats in the contest.