Ellinbank enjoy elimination final win
ELLINBANK put out its best side for the season when it counted most, and it led to a comfortable victory over Poowong in the elimination final, 22-12 (144) to 11-5 (71).
Shaun Phelan, Daniel Risol, Tim Mashado, Michael Urie and Nathaniel Paredes all returned to the line-up in five changes for the Eagles, and they helped deliver a strong result to advance to the first semi-final.
Any doubts of a lack of football for Paredes and Urie were quickly put to rest, the former particularly dominant as the Eagles kicked six goals into the breeze to quickly put the match in their favour.
With no dedicated ruck playing for the Eagles, Connor Cunningham was influential for the Magpies while Jack Hazendonk tried hard, but the Poowong side simply didn't have the answers for a classy Ellinbank outfit.
Tom Johnson marked in front of Andrew Logan for the first goal of the afternoon and while Cody Loughridge responded through the agency of a free kick and 50 metre penalty, the Eagles would quickly take control with the next five majors.
Johnson displayed a sublime pick up and snap from the high ball before Jake Dean converted from a free kick as Shaun Phelan couldn't quite bring down the big fly.
Phelan was soon rewarded with a good kick from his left before Paredes danced around four to find Urie for the open goal.
Urie returned the favour as Paredes continued his best form to put through goal number six.
Patrick Harmes kicked the first goal of the second term following reward for a tackle, only for the Eagles to lift again.
Mashado swung onto his left for an impressive snap from 40 metres, the Magpies beginning to become undone by overuse of the. handball.
Paredes continued to run into the open goal as William Lumby pulled his hamstring in chase.
While Robertson converted from a free kick for the Magpies, Paredes found Gaige White twice as the Eagles went into half time with a seven-goal lead.
Anthony Battista was winning plenty of the ball, while coach Wragg provided rebound from intercepts in defence.
Already missing Steve McInnes due to his child's birthday party, it would prove a difficult task for the Magpies with Jye Loughridge joining Lumby on he sidelines with his ankle iced.
A stalemate ensued to begin the third term before Poowong captain Jaemeel Knecht did his best to try and produce a spark, converting from a free kick and 50 metre penalty.
Ellinbank would find the response with Urie finding Risol for a rare goal for the defender.
Harmes kicked truly after Ryan Carpenter was issued a yellow card following a wrestle as tempers began to flare, a crude hit on Phelan at the other end providing the immediate response for the Eagles.
Not to be perturbed, the Magpies went forward again to find Logan for a mark, only for the defender to miss. He and Chris Doria had been sent forward for a final roll of the dice for Poowong.
The Magpies headed into the final term looking to chance their arm, and it was Hazendonk who converted first despite Harmes becoming the latest player to come from the ground with a niggle.
Follow up from Phelan saw him snap from the boundary throw in to re-establish the advantage.
Hazendonk added another courtesy of a good shepherd from Logan as the Magpies looked to finish well.
Jayden Sullivan reduced the margin again as he broke through the 25-metre mark for their eighth.
Fittingly Paredes had a hand in the sealer, finding Phelan for another goal before Battista put the result to bed, converting from centre half forward.
Daniel Pratt ran into an open goal before Phelan put the icing on the cake with his sixth as the Eagles finished full of running.
Logan and Harmes added late consolation goals, but the damage had been done in a final term that had realised 11 goals between the sides.
Paredes finished the match with his third to seal best on ground honours, goals to Tony Wright, Liam Carollan and Pratt from 50 metres on the siren capping a dominant performance.