Ruck contest Bankers escape with plucky nine point win
by
Ellinbank escaped with a plucky ninepoint win over Poowong, with the Eagles pushed to the final siren and holding on to win 6-9 (45) to 5-6 (36).
The Magpies headed into the final change with a 12-point deficit but seemingly had the scenario in their favour heading into the fourth quarter.
Kicking with the breeze, the Magpies would also take a one player advantage for the first 15 minutes after Ellinbank defender Tom Johnson was sent off right on the three-quarter-time siren.
As players from both sides began to tire after limited football in recent seasons, it was the experienced players who stood up for Ellinbank to help nullify any potential Poowong advantage.
The likes of coach Ben Wragg, Adam Cook and Michael Urie led the way as the rain that had been persistent over the course of the day began to clear.
Despite having an advantage in numbers, the Magpies were kept in check with a goal apiece to open proceedings.
A goal against the run of play from young gun Bryce Joyce increased the advantage to 18 points, but the Magpies weren't done with and finished the contest stronger.
Despite Jameel Knect coming from the ground with a match ending injury during the third term, less rotations did not appear to affect the home side who continued to push.
Cody Loughridge lifted his presence for the home side as the Ellinbank defence began to come under some pressure. He followed up a long miss to again send the ball to the top of the square as the Magpies looked to close the gap.
Paul Harmes went for the fly and it was his tall ruck counterpart Connor Cunningham who would rove expertly, kicking off the ground to close the gap to nine points.
The brother of Melbourne premiership player James, Harmes was able to stand tall across the day despite the wet conditions. Other Magpie talls were also influential, with Lumby taking the early advantage in the ruck before Cunningham came into the contest late.
Pleasingly for the home side, its new recruits in Kurt Newton and Andrew Logan also stood up in a Magpies performance that exceeded expectations.
Both players were part of the final foray forward that threatened to close the gap to within a kick. Newton sent it forward, but Logan spilled a marking attempt in the tricky conditions and was caught with the ball in a frantic attempt to follow up.
Joyce was cool under pressure from the resultant free kick, clearing from defence with a short kick to see the Eagles prevail in a stern test.
Earlier the contest had been a real slog in wintry conditions, neither side able to manage a goal in the first term as Ellinbank took a fourpoint advantage into the first change.
The Magpies only needed one opportunity to hit the front early in the second quarter, sending it deep into attack for Jack Hazendonk to snap truly from the resultant boundary throw in.
The Eagles had put six behinds on the board but made good of their next two chances.
Liam Carollan converted from the top of the square before Daniel Pratt completed a feelgood story, sneaking in a set shot in a return from five years out of the game.
Poowong goaled late in the quarter to cut the half time margin to just four points, the hard work of the Eagles undone by a 50-metre penalty.
Cunningham belied the wet conditions with the tall taking a good run to set the Magpies up for a valuable goal into the breeze, ensuring the home side would stay in the contest for the duration.
The Magpies had hit the front despite far fewer shots, 3-2 to 2-7, only for Ellinbank to finish the term well to again establish a small buffer.
Mat Robertson made no mistake from a free kick 25 metres directly in front as the margin at the final change pushed out to 12-points.
Despite a gallant final term from Poowong it would ultimately be too much to overcome in a low scoring affair, the Eagles holding firm to extend their winning streak