Bankers too strong for young Crows side
ELLINBANK saw off another rival in its bid to lock away another Ellinbank District football finals appearance.
They had to stave off a first quarter challenge from a young Longwarry side that has been heavily impacted by injury, but they were ultimately too strong as they kicked away to win 12-7 (79) to 5-3 (33).
The result dealt a huge blow to the seventh-placed Crows, who were fighting to keep their fleeting finals hopes alive.
The Crows have now fallen eight points and significant percentage outside of the top five and arguably out of contention.
The Eagles entered the contest aware of the looming challenge of Lang Lang and the need to lock away victory to hold their spot.
With that in mind Ellinbank made the stronger start with three quick goals to establish an early buffer.
Winning the territory battle proved key, scrambling the ball forward for their first major before converting from a set shot.
Jake Harper blazed through the middle from the centre ball up to set up the third.
Not to be denied, the Crows hit back with two goals late in the term.
Jake Stewart found space from the pack for their first before Lachie Spinks shephered a kick from the pack through, reducing the margin to just six points at the first change.
An excellent snap from the pocket from Shaun Phelan to begin the response from the home side, who were able to establish a buffer to set up their comfortable win.
Ellinbank began to get on top in the stoppages, regularly breaking away to set up opportunities.
Anthony Battista converted from the lead before Phelan went long to find Liam Carolan for a mark deep in attack. Initially forced to line up a snap, a 50-metre penalty put his shot in front.
The Crows hit back with a long goal before the home side steadied heading into half time, Battista making another impressive checkside from the pocket.
After shoring up the defence in the first half, coach Ben Wragg moved into attack and would hit the scoreboard, finishing with three goals as the Eagles kicked away.
The home side dominated territory in the third but could only find minor scores for their efforts.
They finally broke through from a set shot but it only garnered a response from the Crows, Jedd Serong bouncing one through with no Ellinbank defenders on the line.
Ned Ashton, Bailey Stephens, Serong, Nicholas Redley, Hamish Busk and Angus Adamiak were working hard from the Crows to keep them in touch.
Timothee Mashado, Wragg, Bryce Joyce, Daniel Risol, Battista and Kyah Karavasilis battled to keep the ascendency with the home side.
Wragg scored a long goal for the immediate response which would ultimately see the Crows off, Ellinbank scoring four of the final five goals.