Buln builds gap despite Poowong’s strong finish
BULN BULN took its opportunity to gap rivals Poowong in the bid for a top three finish, but it didn't come without a scare against the fast-finishing Magpies.
Following an even first quarter, the Lyrebirds kicked out to a 21-point lead at the final change, and it took a late steadier to hold on and win 7-10 (52) to 7-2 (44).
Both sides entered the contest missing key players, Steve McInnes for the home side and Hayden Baker and Cam McPhan for the visitor.
Coach Bob McCallum was a welcome inclusion for the Lyrebirds. Spending his time forward, his four goals proved the difference on the day.
Poowong would score first in a goal for goal opener, Jack Hazendonk kicking a long goal after linking up with Matthew Cozzio.
A sore shoulder did little to quell Sam Batson as he found McCallum on the lead for the reply.
A free kick to Patrick Harmes saw the Magpies edge ahead before a good mark at the top of the square from Jayden Sullivan increased the lead.
The Lyrebirds would respond, finding McCallum in the forward 50 unopposed before Batson drifted another home while kicking into the breeze.
It saw the visitor into the lead and proved catalyst for the momentum shift that would see the Lyrebirds kick out to a 21-point margin at the final change.
Jared Doyle goaled from the top of the square as a leg injury to Poowong key defender Andrew Logan caused for concern for the home side.
McCallum proved beneficiary from a fracas with Harmes, gifting him a 50-metre penalty and goal when the Magpies had possession of the ball.
Missed opportunities saw Harmes pull the margin back to 10 points from a free kick. The Lyrebirds moved further ahead in the third term, McCallum adding the only goal for his fourth in his sides' return of 1-5.
The likes of Trent Baker, Shaun Beecroft, Matthew Gray, Thomas Axford and Brandon Allen had set up the opportunity for the visitor.
But the home side still had a sniff and would come home strongly, Cozzio, Cody and TJ Loughridge, William Lumby, Jed Benham and William Robertson leading the charge.
Robertson scored the first of the final term before Mitch Whiting went looking for Sullivan to create some excitement, but unfortunately for the Magpies the shot had been touched.
Robertson then missed an open Harmes to miss another opportunity for the home side. Working hard at both ends of the ground, Robertson soon redeemed himself taking a strong mark in defence opposed to two.
Harmes kicked his third at the 24-minute mark to reduce the margin to eight points. And when Hazendonk snapped across his body through the agency of a Mitchell Vanthof intercept, it made for a frantic finish.
McCallum imposed himself in the middle and winning a free kick, he played on quickly and went long for territory.
The Magpies had one run left but made a costly turnover as Buln Buln went forward again, where mid-season recruit Matt Stevens would snap truly from the ball up to end Poowong's hopes.