Wells digs deep in big goal haul
Longwarry vs Nyora
Coach Aaron Paxson said he wanted his team to block out the noise and just play footy, and that’s exactly what they did against Nyora.
The Crows were never challenged by the young and developing Saints, running out 20.19.139 to 2.4.16 in the tough conditions.
“It was pretty hot early, but I suppose we worked our way into the game and we played a selfless game of footy,” Paxson said.
The Crows were able to win the footy at the source, while also farming it out to their run and attack players with young guns Bailey Stephens and Kane Oldham dominating around the footy.
Nyora kicked with the breeze in the first quarter and matched it with the reigning premiers, but the second quarter saw Longwarry break away.
They used the breeze to their advantage and were able to string some play together, giving their forwards an opportunity and Jason Wells took it.
Nyora were unable to quell Wells’ influence, who slammed home eight goals to dominate the match inside 50.
“We started to get our hands on the footy a bit more and move it better, it wasn’t a bomb down to a contest. That made it easier for our forwards to get one on ones,” Paxson said.
To complement Wells, Leigh McDonald kicked three and Riley Rundell slotted two.
For Nyora, Taylar Gard was able to hit the scoreboard, as did Nathan Lineham but they weren’t able to overcome the reigning premiers.
Ben Lineham tried hard to combat the Crows onslaught as Nyora’s best, with Kallon Rigby also standing tall in a strong four quarter performance.
The Saints will face Yarragon at home on Saturday, with Longwarry heading to Nilma Darnum to take on the Bombers.
Poowong vs Buln Buln
Poowong have staved off a late fightback from Buln Buln, winning the tough encounter 9.3.57 to 5.3.33.
Pressure was the main game for the Magpies, locking the ball inside their forward 50 numerous times in the blustery conditions at Buln, allowing for more shots on goal.
The Magpies led for most of the match, pushing out to a seven goal lead in the third quarter, however injuries struck yet again for the side, leaving them with just 17 fit players for a period in the fourth quarter.
This allowed Buln to return fire, booting a couple of goals, before Poowong’s experienced players slowed the ball down, chewing up some clock and settling the contest down as the siren blew.
Poowong coach Chris Doria said the team played well together, and are continuing to gel, but injuries are a concern.
“We played well, but we have injuries at the moment, Tommy Wyatt, Will Lumby and Jayden Sullivan now.
“Our pressure was fantastic, the forward, mid and backs were strong. Conor Cunningham was brilliant in the ruck, Alex Doria and Patty Harmes down back and up forward Bailey Fray and James Doria really put the pressure on to set the standard,” he said.
Despite coming up short in the win column, Buln’s James Fowler put in a best on ground performance for the Lyrebirds, with veteran ruckman Matt Gray also leading from the front.
Hayden Baker, Fowler, Gray Jake Herbel and Lex Wright managed to all hit the scoreboard for the Buln side.
Coach Michael Kruen lamented that his side couldn’t win the game with just one good quarter, highlighting the lack of fire power through the middle in stages, which they’ll work on before Saturday.
Injuries may be the biggest concern for Poowong as they face Catani at home as Buln will look to get on the winners list when they travel to Caldermeade Rd to face Lang Lang. Catani vs Nilma Darnum
The closest game of the round was at Catani, where the Blues fought off a spirited NilmaDarnum side 8.6.54 to 5.6.36.
It was an even contest for much of the afternoon, with the teams trading blows throughout the first half, battling the howling wind at Catani.
Nilma-Darnum took a slender lead into the main break, but it was the Blues who were able to gain some momentum during the back end of the third term, where coach Daniel Barrand said the game was won.
“I felt that was when we probably got on top of them. Our back six were solid and then our mids were getting enough footy going forward to hit the scoreboard,” he said.
Catani worked with the conditions after the main break, becoming more direct in their approach after sending the ball wide in the first half, as well as putting on the pressure to lock the ball in their half.
Nilma-Darnum looked to keep in contact with goals from the Ketchen brothers, Clay and Isaac, but ultimately, it was Catani who ran the game out stronger on the day, Barrand added that the game was an even one, and one that could have gone either way with the conditions.
Trent Adams was brilliant for the Blues, slotting two goals in a best afield display, while Cody Banbury was also prolific at the contests as was Brett Williams in a more midfield based role. Matt Barrand also chipped in with two goals to give Catani a lift.
Nilma-Darnum fought hard and were much improved from 2019, welcoming back some players including Isaac Ketchen who kicked two goals, alongside brother Clay who also split the big sticks twice to be two of the Bombers’ best.
Catani will hit the road next week to face Poowong, while Nilma-Darnum will take on Longwarry at home.