Poowong holds on
POOWONG held off a fast-finishing Nyora to record its first win of the season, holding on to win 7-11 (53) to 6-11 (47).
It was a dour defensive contest early, the Magpies holding a slender three-point lead heading into the first change before increasing the lead to 11 at half time.
The Magpies responded in the third term, booting three goals to one to all but set up victory as the margin increased to 25-points at the final change.
Pugh, The charge who finished was led the by leading spearhead goal scorer Scott with three. Other prominent players for the
Saints were Jordan Anderson, Travis Stewart, Nick Anderson, Jesse Heylen, Dylan Heylen and Jack Keating.
Last year a defender, Andrew Logan enjoyed a switch of ends to finish one of only two multiple goal scorers on the ground.
Thomas Robertson, Mitchell van't Hof, Zac Gray, Steven McInnes and Alex Henshall had helped the Magpies to a near winning position.
Not to be outdone, the Saints charged home with the final three goals of the match to give the Magpies an early scare.
A STRONG second half saw Longwarry see off an early challenge from Nilma-Darnum, winning 12-16 (88) to 6-8 (44).
The persistent Bombers challenged the Crows in the first half, finding various avenues to goal to boot six goals and trail by just three-points at the main break. From there the scoring dried up, as playing assistant Darren Granger helped Longwarry take charge. Granger booted four goals in a best afield effort, the Crows booting six goals in the second half while keeping the Bombers to just four behinds.
Mobile forward Braydon McHugh booted three goals, while tall Jedd Serong and small Fintan Fox added to mix with multiple.
Angus Adamiak, Angus Young, Jackson Mouser, Mitchell Young and Ben Cuckson were also among the better players, while the Crows were boosted by the presence of Cooper Brown.
Leading the first half challenge for the Bombers were Nathan Campbell, Sebastian Crowle, Sage Tapner, Blake Cann, Travis Dyke and Oxley Huson.
ELLINBANK continued its early season form, kicking away in the second half to account for Catani 18-12 (120) to 5-9 (39).
Hopeful of putting in some more competitive efforts under new coach Luke Young, the Blues showed glimpses in the first half.
They took a one point lead following a dour first term, and trailed by just 13 points as the sides headed to the sheds at half time.
Ellinbank lifted in the second half as Catani struggled to hold the three-pronged attack as Shaun Phelan, Ben Wragg and Jaxon Notman finishing with 14 goals between them.
Bryce Joyce, Thomas Johnson, the returning Keegan Bott and Ryan Atherton were also among the better players.
Matt Soutter-Smith, Jack Roberts, Kyle Van Dord, Tyson Robinson, Lauchlan Gregson and Noah Young helped the Blues put in a competitive first half. LANG LANG had the bye.