Friday night and Saturday games in WDJFL
Friday night games at Bunyip and Ellinbank kicked off round five in the WDJFL.
Matches on both Friday and Saturday were played in mild, dry and mostly ideal conditions. BUNYIP v. LONGWARRY. Under 10. Friday night kicked off with a great contest between the two clubs in windy conditions that made the players earn every possession.
Longwarry fought hard but Bunyip was able to establish a small lead early and then, through some great link up play into the wind, kicked away for the win. Under 12. A terrific four-quarter contest played in great spirit by both sides.
Bunyip tried hard throughout and put together some great pieces of play, however Longwarry proved too good in the end. Under 14. The wind really picked up for this match.
Bunyip’s tackling and defending gave it an edge against the wind and the contest remained even for the first three quarters.
Bunyip led in to the last quarter by a few points up and its endeavour in the last term was too much for Longwarry. ELLINBANK v GARFIELD Under 10. On a mild night conducive to a good game of football under lights at Ellinbank both teams younger players displayed some great skills.
A strong breeze saw most of the scoring at one end of the ground and in the finish Ellinbank’s speed allowed for a solid win. Under 12. With strong gusty winds for the Friday night clash at Ellinbank the home side came out strongly in the first quarter with three great goals to Garfield’s one.
Garfield fought back in the second with a great snap goal.
A hard fought third quarter saw an early goal by Ellinbank as the only score.
A thrilling last quarter resulted in Ellinbank running out convincing winners.
Ellinbank’s Bailey Hill and Caleb Dinnie played their 50th games. Under 14. Garfield got the lead early with Ellinbank having to work hard in their defence to stop them stretching it beyond reach. In the second half Ellinbank held their positions and put up a good fight but Garfield took the win in a fantastic night of football.
NEERIM DISTRICT v CALDERMEADE Under 12. A sunny start for round five at Neerim South on Saturday.
Neerim took the lead early in the game while the Cannons played some great defensive football.
Both teams fought hard to win the ball and overall Caldermeade proved too strong at the final siren.
Caldermeade’s Cullen Anderson and Harry Harbert played their 50th games. Under 14. The Cannons got off to a dominating first quarter in the great conditions at Neerim South.
Both teams fought hard but the Cannons’ pressure was too good taking them to the win. BLUES v DROUIN MAROON Under 10. Great conditions saw the game between Blues and Drouin Maroon produce a great contest from start to finish.
The result could have gone either way.
Some very good marking from both teams was a feature of the game that Drouin managed to come away winners by three points. Under 12. The Blues’ home ground produced a classic game.
Blues got the first goal within a minute and looked like they may run away with a big win but Drouin responded and looked a decent chance at three quarter time with Blues only slightly ahead.
They held their composure to kicked a couple of goals in the final term for a well-earned victory. Under 14. In perfect conditions the teams came out to play tough footy.
The Blues were too strong for the visitors but the scoreboard didn’t reflect the hard contest Drouin Maroon gave.
Blues scored against the wind in the 2nd and 4th quarters and ran away with any easy victory. HALLORA v YARRAGON Under 10. Hallora took the lead early in the game although Yarragon applied considerable pressure.
The sides were quite even with both trying to break away from the packs and spread players. Hallora got the win in the end. Under 12. A strong defensive game played by both teams with lots of tackles made.
The scoreboard really did not show just how evenly paired these two teams were.
With all of its kicks for goal straight between the posts Hallora come away with the win.
Hallora’s Caleb Pyart played his 50th game. Under 14. Sunshine greeted both teams for a good day for football.
Yarragon moved the ball well with team footy and Hallora also did at times.
Overrll Yarragon was just too strong and ran away with the win. BULLS v COLTS Under 12. The Colts travelled to Loch to take on the Bulls and took the game right up to the Bulls in the first quarter but after then the Bulls lifted to run out easy winners by 30 points. Under 14. The Bulls’ great start highlighted by their team play gave them the lead at quarter time.
The Colts managed to put a score on the board in the second quarter although it didn’t stop the Bulls extending their advantage.
A tighter contest in the second half saw the Colts keep up with the Bulls but the good early lead saw the Bulls win comfortably. BULN BULN v DROUIN GOLD Under 10. Fantastic weather set up a great game between Drouin Gold and Buln Buln.
Drouin strived to keep up as Buln who kicked away in the second quarter in a game in which there was great defence by both sides.
Buln’s more effective forward work enabled it to take the points. Under 12. The sunny weather allowed spectators to enjoy a game featuring long kicks, great marks and some terrific general play.
Drouin had a smooth victory kicking long and scoring strong goals despite great efforts by the Buln backline. Under 14. Both teams played hard and good quality football taking advantage when it was their turn to kick with the wind.
In the end it was Buln Buln’s better ball movement and team play that was too strong for a brave Drouin Maroon team.
WARRANOR had the bye