Bankers herald return to form
Ellinbank signalled its return to form with a comfortable victory over form side Buln Buln in round six of Ellinbank District football, 12-7 (79) to 5-12 (42).
When Ellinbank emerged from the changerooms to begin the second half, they came out having set the game up with a seven goal to two first half to take a 35-point lead.
As they huddled ahead of third term, Ellinbank were told an opportunity presented to show they were the number one team in the competition.
A strong second term with five goals to one set up the buffer following a tight start.
Ellinbank scored the first two goals of the game before Buln Buln found Jack Symes over the back, with his kick from mid air in the goal square closing the gap to nine-points at the first change.
The visitor then got a run on as they booted five of the next six. Adam Cook held his ground well and found Tim Mashado unchecked in the goal square to start the run.
Buln Buln's next opportunity was set up through a kick poked forward by James Fowler, but it did little to halt Ellinbank's momentum.
A sliding mark from Nathaniel Paredes added another before Cook converted after receiving high contact in a ruck contest.
Two Buln Buln defenders scrambled to chase a dribble kick but couldn't get there as Ellinbank began to take control.
Sam Batson made a good spoil, but unfortunately for the Lyrebirds it deflected into the path of Ryan Atherton who found Anthony Battista on the lead.
Despite missing coach Bob McCallum, the proud Lyrebirds side were sure of providing a response in the second half.
Missed opportunities would again haunt the home side, with a run of 10 consecutive behinds putting paid to any chance of fighting their way into the contest.
A Matt Gray mark with the flight and Hayden Baker goal from a holding the ball free kick gave Buln Buln the spark it needed to begin the third term.
A flying mark from coach Ben Wragg in defence started some run and carry for Ellinbank, as Daniel Risol made most of what would prove a limited opportunity for the third term.
Adam Rakip would demonstrate his experience as Buln Buln lifted. At a stoppage he instructed Jake Pierrehumbert to put an arm across his opponent and run through.
And the move would have paid off had it not been for the boundary throw in to clear the ruckmen.
Pierrehumbert was one of many to come into the game as the Lyrebirds began to dominate territory but missed set shots and shots in clear space went begging.
Other players to help lift the Lyrebirds were Gray, Jared Lane, Timothy Stoll, Thomas Axford and Hayden Baker.
The assistance of a 50-metre penalty did little to help as the home team completed a run of nine consecutive minor scores.
To run salt into the wound, Ellinbank found a goal late in the quarter to still hold a 32-point advantage despite the hard work from Buln Buln.
Adding the first goal of the final term would effectively put paid to any chance of a miraculous comeback.
Baker would break the run of 10 consecutive behinds from a rundown tackle as the Lyrebirds kicked consecutive goals.
Jake Dean put in a roller towards goal with an unlucky bounce for the Buln Buln defender, who could only watch on in despair as the ball crossed the goal line.
Daniel Pratt, Wragg, Paredes, Battista, Bryce Joyce and Zachery Holton had helped Ellinbank to its winning position.
The pressure of a tackle wasn't enough to prevent Paredes snapping through his fourth as Ellinbank finished the contest strongly.