Poowong prevail in reserves
Neerim South v Poowong
The Cats fell short in their bid for a comeback victory on home soil, Poowong running out winners 8.8 (56) to 5.8 (38).
A tied game at halftime, Poowong came out stronger in the third term, kicking four goals to zero to break the game open, but Neerim, not to be outdone, the Cats came home strong but it was not enough.
Booting the final three goals of the game, they nearly pulled off a comeback, but it wasn’t to be. James Scott was the main man for Poowong booting four goals, while Bradley Tilley produced a best on ground performance in the victory.
Scott, Mathew Burr, Gavin Notman, Jackson Glindemann and Reece Attenborough were all named in the best for the Magpies.
Thomas Metselaar booted two, as did Scott Muir for Neerim. Raymond Kuhnell, Thomas Metselaar, Christian Robertson-Edgar, Lachlan Smith, Mathew Churchill and Ben Lockett all played terrific games on their new home ground.
Catani v Buln Buln
Charlie Kilday and Josh Bloink have both booted four goals in a big Buln Buln victory over Catani 18.10 (118) to 1.1 (7).
It was a tussle early at Catani, but the second quarter saw the Lyrebirds hit their straps, booting eight straight goals to take a big lead into halftime.
Catani showed fight in the third stemming the flow but ran out of legs as Buln kicked a further six in the final frame to blow the margin out.
Alongside Bloink and Kilday, Ricky McKerrow booted three and Josh McFarlane two to be the multiple goal kickers.
Bloink was also named best on ground, followed by Bryce Monahan, Simon Dawson, Thomas Park, Jarrod Castle and Bradley Trotman were the better players for Buln on the day.
For Catani, who battled all afternoon, Mitch Hovenbitzer was the sole goal kicker, while Jacob Morgan was best for the Blues. He had help from Noah Young, Shane Scandolera, William Geyer, Mao Lam Shong and Hovenbitzer who all found themselves in the best.
Trafalgar v Nilma Darnum
Trafalgar had no problem defeating Nilma Darnum, running out 20.16 (136) to 1.0 (6) winners.
Dan Puglia was the biggest factor for the Bloods kicking seven goals in the procession, while Lachy Farrell and Brodie Burgess both booted three each, with Harry Malady kicking two for Trafalgar.
They used a big first half which saw them hold the Bombers goalless to set up the win, before running out strongly, continuing to pile on the points in the final frame.
Brett Cameron was stellar for the home side and had ample support from the likes of Tristan Marslen, Puglia, Rhain Ross and Keegan Tullett who all had fantastic games.
For the Bombers, who will need to pick themselves up for next week, Jordyn Hanssen-De Kort was the only goal kicker. Phil McClimont was the best on the day for Nilma Darnum, with Jaun Landers, Bailey Pryor, Robert Campbell and Hanssen-De Kort all toiling admirably during the match to be named in the best.
Longwarry v Ellinbank
The curtain raiser to the big grand final rematch hasn’t disappointed, with the Crows defeating Ellinbank in a thriller 5.11 (41) to 5.7 (37).
Paul Williams booted two goals in the low scoring contest, as did Peter Harrison to be the only multiple goal scorers on the ground.
Ryan Wouters was best on ground, leading his side to victory late and had John Werner, Stuart Wilson, Brett McCleary, Williams and James Hill go along with him to round out the best.
For the gallant Ellinbank side, it was all individual goal kickers, with Tim Webster at his best for the Eagles to be named their top player, with Andrew Spinks, Jack Pandolfo, Sam Cheeseman, Sam Brown and Justin Tylee turning in terrific performances in the narrow loss, one they’ll hope to rectify next time out.
Lang Lang v Yarragon
An inaccurate Yarragon may be rueing an opportunity missed, with Lang Lang defeating the Panthers 10.8 (68) to 4.10 (34).
They had an opportunity, down just 26 in the final term, but five behinds in the final term was never going to cut it.
Lang Lang got going early and never looked back leading the entire day thanks to multiple goals from Jack Sullivan and Rhys Simmons.
Troy Miller was brilliant in a full four quarter display to be the Tigers’ best, with Sullivan, Bryce Fraser, Matthew Duggan, Brock Duggan and Simmons rounding out the best.
Daniel Burke was the best for Yarragon, getting plenty of the footy as well as hitting the scoreboard with a major. While Ashley Robinson, Lucas Kilday and Joel Kilday were the other goal kickers for the Panthers.
Alongside Burke in the best was Dylan Binzer, Lucas Kilday, Dean Fitzgerald, Stanislaus Stuski and Corey Ford.