Blues hold on in Reserves

Catani held on for a thrilling four-point win over Poowong in Sunday’s Reserves elimination final.

Little separated the sides, with the Blues holding on in a tense finish to win 8-11 (59) to 8-7 (55).

With scores locked at quarter time, the Blues scored the only goal of the second term to edge ahead at the long break.

A five goal blitz from the Magpies in the third term set them up for a nine-point lead at the final change, but the Blues were able to finish strongest on their home ground.

While scoring the only two goals of the final term, the Blues were unable to put the Magpies away in what became a frantic finish.

Vaughn Campbell, Tim Lonsdale, Mitchell Gregson, Hayden Lownds, Dustin Peebles and James Williams helped the Blues storm home.

Cody Loughridge, Glenn Attenborough, Adam Fisher, Tristan Hawksworth, Jake Cooper and Ashley McIntosh helped put the Magpies in a position to win the game.

Epic in Thirds

Poowong and Ellinbank played out an epic in the under 18s.

At times it looked as if the game may head towards extra time, only for the Magpies to steady with late goals to win 11-3 (69) to 9-5 (59).

Taking a narrow four point lead into the first change, the Magpies kicked four goals to one in the second term to open a 22-point buffer at half time.

But the Eagles came back strongly, scoring five goals to two to cut the margin to just fivepoints at the final change.

It was Ellinbank who broke through first and with four minutes to play, it was all squared up.

The Magpies steadied in the final minutes and lived to fight another day.

Hayden Wallis finished with five goals, while Brian Kelson, Mitchel Van’T Hof, Matthew Burr, Jye Loughridge and Tane Derrick also helped the Magpies across the line.

William Robertson kicked four goals for Ellinbank, while Matthew Bow, Callum Auldist, Lachlan Hedrick, Nicholas Matheson and Isaac Taylor also helped the Eagles threaten to take the game.

Eagles work to win

Ellinbank were able to overcome a wasteful Buln Buln, 5-6 (36) to 1-7 (13).

Following a slow start where the Eagles trailed by one-point at the first change, missed opportunities hurt the Lyrebirds as the Eagles worked to a 16-point lead at the final change.

Ellinbank scored the first and only goal of the final term to seal the result.

Sam Pratt kicked three goals for Ellinbank, while Lachlan Sherry, Dean Swinburne, Josh Williams, Corey Garlick and Matthew Dare also helped the Eagles take control.

Brendan Wall, Gaige White, Jacob Blackstock, Paisarn White and Alex Hasan were the better players in a Buln Buln side that just couldn’t take their opportunities.