Only under 18 game dishes up a thriller

The words health and safety protocols have often applied in the AFL this season, and Saturday saw it applied in the Ellinbank District Football League with an under 18s game called off.

With Lang Lang's under 18s unable to find enough players due to COVID-19 isolation measures, the Tigers were forced to concede the points to Neerim-Neerim South.

That left just the one game to be completed in that age group, with Yarragon heading over to Trafalgar to take on Buln Buln.

It didn't disappoint, with the Lyrebirds holding on to win by just two-points in a see-sawing contest.

After conceding the first goal, Buln Buln scored the next three, only for the Panthers to hit back with a run of three goals of their own.

Keeping its opposition scoreless in the final term proved key for the Lyrebirds, who won 4-7 (31) to 4-5 (29).

Will Battley, Jaran Guy, Jarrod Clynes, Callum Linford and Daniel Axford helped Buln Buln storm home, while setting up chances for the Panthers were Joshua Mills, Zavier Allsopp, Blake White, Zak and Ty Keeble.

Reserves matches saw greater margins.

The closest match of the day was at Trafalgar, with a fast start to the home side proving the difference.

The Bloods kicked the first three goals of the contest to win 4-7 (31) to 2-4 (16), the Bloods kicking the only goal of a dour second half.

Benjamin Doran, Harrison Malady, Brady Heywood, Greg Kneebone, Jackson Noonan and Owen Zimora helped the Bloods to an early lead.

Leading the comeback for the Lyrebirds were Timothy Stoll, Josh Bloink, Daniel Axford, Jake Smith, Mitchell Park and Simon Dawson.

Yarragon kicked away early to defeat Poowong, 7-4 (46) to 4-2 (26).

Joshua Smith-Butterworth, Daniel Burke, Bradley Morgan, Kiam Rose, Samuel Perry and Corey Binzer led the charge for the Panthers.

The better players for Poowong were Lachlan Green, Gavin Broad, Benn Henshall, Kade Anderson, Benjamin Schulz and Reece Attenborough.

Neerim-Neerim South were comfortable victor over Lang Lang, 7-10 (52) to 3-2 (20).

The Cats bookended the match with three goals in the first and then final quarter in an otherwise competitive match.

Lincoln King, Jack Jenkins, Brett Kelly, Troy

Miller, Mark Penn and Bryce Fraser helped keep the Tigers in the contest.

Nyora recorded a strong win over Nilma-Darnum, 14-14 (98) to 2-1 (13).

Shaun Lamb was best afield for the Saints, while Trent Breen and Adam Jamieson each kicked four goals. Jarred Pearsall, Peter Bastin and Matt Layton were also named in the best.

The Bombers were best served by Corey Wright, Blake Johns, Benjamin Miron, Matt Cheyne, Dane Johns and Phil McClimont.

Ellinbank were big winners over a struggling Catani, 24-16 (160) to 1-0 (6).

Daniel Hayes proved the main beneficiary, booting 10 goals.

Tony Wright, Tim Leicester, Gaige White, Justin Tylee and Brad Berry also helped the home side to a percentage booster.

Liam Cove, Edward Gebar, Markus White, Jason Adair, Toby Taylor and Kishan Sharma battled against the odds for the Blues.

With no under 18 game, under 16 players for Lang Lang and Neerim-Neerim South lined up at the later timeslot of 10.25am.

The extra sleep and first use of the ground made for a good contest, the Cats winning 6-8 (44) to 4-7 (31).

The Tigers closed the margin to just three points at half time before the Cats kicked away.

Trafalgar set up its 6-3 (39) to 3-0 (18) win over Buln Buln with a four goal third quarter.

The Bloods were in control for the most part, with the Lyrebirds kicking the final two goals to close the margin.

Isaac Caroleo, Tory Clancy, Liam Coulthard, Taj Webber and William Bremner gave the Bloods ascendency, while Ryley Huysman, Cody McInnes, Matthew Cahill, Archie Bridger and Hamish Wells helped the Lyrebirds play it out to the final siren.

Yarragon continued its winning way with a big victory over Poowong 17-6 (102) to 2-4 (16).

The Panthers kicked eight goals in the first term and were never headed, although the Magpies did well to contain in the second quarter.

Liam Smith-Butterworth booted four goals with Darcy Paul, Joshua Mills, Beau Halliday and Brodie Fleming also among the better players.

Aaron Damon, Anthony Orsini, Calvin Langford, Henri Bott, Angus Halliwell and Bryce Townsend tried best to stem the tide for the Magpies.