Blues keep top three hopes alive
Catani kept its aspirations of a top three finish in the Ellinbank District Football League alive with victory in an important match against Ellinbank.
With the Blues fighting for the second chance and the Eagles fighting to qualify for the finals, the match was closely contested until the visitor kicked away late in the third term to open a handy 32-point buffer at the final change.
While the Eagles came home strongly in the final term they had left themselves too much to do and fell 14-points short, 10-14 (74) to 96 (60).
The result means that Ellinbank’s destiny is out of its own hands, needing to win its remaining two games while hoping Poowong fall.
The win sets up another important clash for the Blues, with this week’s match against Warragul Industrials set to determine which side will play the qualifying final.
Ellinbank scored the important first goal of the third term in what had been an even contest, Shaun Phelan finding Adam Cook on the lead for a goal to put the Eagles seven points in front.
However Catani were able to dominate the remainder of the quarter to establish the buffer they needed.
Nathaniel Rodda ran into the open goal to close the margin to one-point before a long miss from Cody Banbury levelled the scores.
It began a run of six straight goals that would see the Blues hold the ascendency at the final change.
Paul Pattison, who had been collecting the ball at will despite being tagged, ran into the open goal and it lifted his team.
Smart roving from Catani youngster Liam Adams to roll through the Blues’ seventh increased the lead.
Owen Fitzpatrick converted from a free kick and the Blues benefited from keeping the ball in their forward half, capitalising on a mistake to add their ninth goal.
The Blues went forward again through Pattison who had been held. His long kick was claimed by an Ellinbank defender but the umpire did not agree, with Fitzpatrick stealing it to push the margin beyond five goals at the final change.
It was Catani’s turn to feel the pressure as the Eagles pressed with everything on the line.
The home team broke through with a snap and as if inspired, an Ellinbank forward hacked the ball out of mid-air to give the Eagles some hope.
The Blues were able to steady through the middle part of the quarter and while they were unable to convert, it bought them valuable time.
A chase down tackle from Luke McFarlane set up a long shot for Adams, but his shot failed to carry the line.
A thumping punch from young ruck Jackson Caddy sent the ball in Rodda’s path, who dished out to Wade Haysom but his running shot missed.
Ellinbank responded with a long goal that just carried the line but again the Blues were able to steady and restrict the Eagles from scoring.
A flying mark to Nick Visser on the wing was the highlight as the Blues slowed the tempo to eat time off the clock.
With time of the essence Ellinbank needed to step up the pressure and that they did, locking the ball in their forward 50. With the vocal crowd appealing for holding the ball on three occasions, nothing was doing until the umpire agreed on the fourth occasion, bringing out a Bronx cheer.
Unfortunately the Eagles were unable to capitalise on their chances, with Michael Urie missing a shot despite winning a 50-metre penalty after his opponent encroached on the mark.
Pattison sent the ball forward for Catani with Fitzpatrick one out in the forward line, but he failed to win the race as the ball carried over the back with Ellinbank able to clear.
It was a tense finish to the match as Catani’s Dylan Williams was collected high and momentarily came from the ground.
Despite time running out for the Eagles and Catani holding on to win, the Blues camp were still angry after the final siren with tensions needing to be calmed before the postmatch presentation for mental health round. Williams was fittingly awarded the medal for displaying determination and courage throughout the contest.
Earlier, Fitzpatrick’s strong marking was a feature in a competitive first half of the match.
He kicked the first goal of the match but Ellinbank were quick to respond, with Cook following up his kick to burst through the pack and convert.
Ash Wallace found Ben Wragg on the lead to put Ellinbank in front.
The Blues responded with the next three goals, Fitzpatrick’s strong marking responsible for two of those.
A snap from a boundary throw in and long shot from half forward closed the gap for Ellinbank in the second quarter.
A centre clearance found Phelan on the lead and he kicked truly, giving the Eagles a three point lead at the long break.
Unfortunately a third quarter lapse proved costly for the Eagles, who finished strongly but ran out of time in a tense finish.