Desperate smother saves Crows
Second-placed Longwarry and thirdplaced Warragul Industrials were expected to play out a finals like match and the contest delivered, with the result hinging on a shot at goal in the final thirty seconds of the match.
With Tyson Bale the Industrials best player and a constant thorn in the opposition’s side the midfielder made one last ditch attempt to level the scores in the final minute, only to be denied by a touch off the boot from a Crows defender.
Having earlier kicked away with four goals to one in the first quarter, the Crows held on to win 7-8 (50) to 6-9 (45).
In Shane Ingham’s 100th game, the Industrials weren’t to be denied following their slow start and worked their way back into the contest.
Scoring the only goal of the second term to cut the margin to 11 points in what was becoming a dour contest, the Industrials cut the margin to just five points at the final change with two goals to one to give themselves a real chance of victory.
At one stage the Industrials wrested the lead, only for the Crows to respond and kick clear again.
With the Crows holding a six-point advantage in the dying stages, Bale made a desperate snap in an attempt to draw level but couldn’t clear the hands of a desperate Longwarry defender.
Nicholas Redley held the edge in the ruck duels, while Nathan Fry, Riley Rundell, Danny Wells, Casey Wells and Cole Cook were also instrumental in helping the Crows hold on.
Bale, Tye Holland, Michael Ablett, Mitch Davies, Joel Morgan and Shane Brewster led the way to give the Industrials every chance of taking the match.
The win for Longwarry put them two games clear of the Industrials in second position.
Bombers fail to score
Nilma-Darnum may have entered the Ellinbank District Football League record books for all the wrong reasons during their loss to Ellinbank.
In a dark day for the club, the Bombers went scoreless in what is believed to be a first at senior level in the EDFL’s history.
With the match played in slippery and heavy conditions, the Eagles kicked out to a 17-point advantage at quarter time.
Remarkably, the score remained the same at the long break with neither side able to break through for a score in a torrid second term.
Ellinbank dominated proceedings in the third term, with a return of 4-10 extending the margin beyond 50-points to put the match in the Eagles’ keeping.
The Bombers were struggling to move the ball to within 30 metres of their goal, with their scoreless effort putting them two games and significant percentage outside the top five and just about putting paid to their finals chances.
Ellinbank scored the only goal of the last term to put their finals aspirations back on track, winning 7-19 (61) to 0-0 (0).
Tim Mashado, Mark Vasset, Michael Urie, Shaun Phelan, Ben Wragg and Tom Robertson helped the Eagles control the match.
Luke Bartlett, Chris Larosa, Nathan Campbell, Ben Campbell, James Bourke and Ben Lucas were the better players in a Bombers side that struggled to gain any ascendancy.
Saints celebrate together
While Nyora scored a comfortable victory over Buln Buln to maintain its status as the yardstick of the competition, a unique celebration followed the match.
With the club working hard to rebuild and turn their fortunes around, the Saints celebrated a significant milestone with it’s A grade netballers tasting success for the first time this season and joining their football counterparts for the team song.
The football sides’ rise has been meteoric and they had little trouble in disposing of a middle of the road team in Buln Buln, scoring 12-4 (76) to 3-5 (23).
Aside from a tight second term where the Saints held the edge with two goals to one, the home side otherwise maintained control.
Seven goals to two in the second half ensured a comfortable win for the Saints.
Ben Schultz and Iian Osman combined well up forward, booting nine goals between them, while Jordan Anderson, Aiden Cumberland and Jesse Heylen also stood up to ensure coach Fia Tootoo would notch up a victory in his 100th match.
Brent Waddell, Harry Wans, Jake Herbel, Charlie Park, Bryce Monahan and James Taylor were the better players for Buln Buln.