Strong win gives Lyrebirds traction
IF Buln Buln hadn't already been considered by pundits as the best chance of challenging ladder leaders Neerim-Neerim South, a strong win over Trafalgar on Saturday goes close to confirming it.
With the contest played on a heavy surface, the Lyrebirds worked to a comfortable buffer across the first three terms before putting the Bloods away with a five-goal final quarter to win 11-12 (78) to 4-5 (29).
While David Van Schajik lined up for senior game number 50 for Trafalgar, Buln Buln also entered the contest with motivation for a strong performance to establish themselves as a contender.
After playing predominantly forward in previous weeks, coach Bob McCallum started in the ruck but his main impact was had forward, putting through the first goal from a free kick from a stoppage.
Matt Stevens snapped from the pocket but Trafalgar would hit back to stay in touch at the first change, Damian Mann converting from a free kick for a hold.
The Bloods continued the pressure to begin the second term however the Lyrebirds would remain composed.
Jackson Kos, Brandon Allen and Trent Baker combined to clear the advances, but unfortunately Jack Symes was missed on the lead.
McCallum converted again from the pocket before Hayden Baker converted from a free kick.
An opportunity was missed when Reece Campbell's pleas for Tim Stoll to give it to him from centre half forward were ignored, but when Symes rolled one through from the pack, it set up a handy 26-point buffer at the long break.
A dour third term ensued as each side added one goal. Jared Lane sent the ball forward as Matt Gray left the ball for a mark to McCallum over the back as he put through his third.
Trafalgar would give themselves the barest of chances as Darcy Brook combined with Mann to put through the second for the visitor.
Dylan Farrell, Mitch Virtue, Blake Slater, Blake Radford, Jace Butler and Mann, who would ultimately finish with all of Trafalgar's goals, were leading the effort to keep the Bloods in touch.
Good defence from the likes of Allen and Jake Herbel ensured the Bloods would be denied time and again, allowing the Lyrebirds to eventually break away.
A running checkside from Cam McPhan quickly arrested any Trafalgar momentum, with a long goal from Baker re-establishing a comfortable margin.
Two goals from Mann were punctuated by a running shot from Baker to help the home side maintain their advantage.
Gray flew over the pack to convert from the pocket to cap a strong 49-point margin for the home side.