By RUSSELL BENNETT
ELLINBANK AND DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
REVIEW – ROUND 4
BUNYIP v WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS
SATURDAY marked the first time this season that the Warragul Industrials matched up against an opponent from last year’s EDFL West.
While their Round-1 opponent Neerim South, who they snuck past by just four points, is undoubtedly a quality side and should be there when the whips are cracking at the business end of this season, the Bulldogs posed a different challenge – a side they hadn’t played against in more than 12 months, and one with recent premiership success.
While Bunyip’s 2015 incarnation is vastly different to the premiership year of 2012, it does still boast a number of proven winners.
Dusties’ coach Ash Green said that, in itself, didn’t provide any added incentive to his side on Saturday – instead preferring to talk about his team’s determination to improve each and every week. But he did admit his boys were keen to see where they matched up against the likes of Bunyip, Nar Nar Goon, Kooweerup and Cora Lynn.
So far, so good for Green and his charges, with the Dusties prevailing by 28 points over the Dogs 14.18 (102) to 11.8 (74).
“It was a good game with a real finals-like atmosphere,” said Green.
“The margin was close all game – it never got further than four or five goals – and there was really good pressure displayed by both sides.
“Everyone knows Bunyip is a quality side that has been up there in recent years, so it was a good hit out to see where we’re at.
“We’re 3-0 now but every game is tough.”
Green said he was proud of his side’s ability to stand up under pressure, particularly coming off the bye in Round 3.
“Our own pressure was good and we threw the side around a bit in the second half because of the slightly warmer conditions but moving forward our discipline needs to get better,” he said.
“We’re giving away too many free kicks and 50-metre penalties.”
Green said his side, which has a number of new faces from last year’s team, is continuing to gel, but he was particularly impressed with midfield gun Shane Brewster (two goals), half-back flanker Rhett O’Hara, and youngster Will Jolley so far this season.“We’ve got some really good leaders and teachers in the group, and we’ve got really good depth with some great kids too,” Green said.
“Everyone’s pushing each other for spots, which is great.”
The Dusties led by just nine points at quarter-time on Saturday, and 19 at the main break. They extended their margin to 34 by three-quarter time, but the Dogs finished strongly.
Brad Wolfe booted a bag of five for Bunyip, while Michael Whyte, Sam Blackburn, Lachlan Petch and Tom Strang also impressed. Corey Nickels booted three for the Dusties, while Brewster, Shane Ingham, Russell Ware and Joel Gibson were the standouts.
LONGWARRY v NEERIM NEERIM SOUTH
LAST time the Cats came up against one of last year’s EDFL East grand finalists, they came unstuck – against Buln Buln by 11 goals in Round 2.
But they turned the tables on Saturday, knocking the Crows off their perch in Longwarry – 15.8 (98) to 6.7 (43).
The Crows have a number of dangerous forwards, particularly the brilliant Semir Zijai, but the Cats kept them to just six majors for the day – with Zijai slotting four of those.
Neerim South’s list was boosted by some real top-end talent over the off-season, and that’s already reaping huge rewards, but coach Jack Halligan said the group still had plenty of work to do – adding the group’s depth, and its youngsters, were huge positives moving forward.
Aiden Dibsdale, Dean Stringer and Dane Fawcett have been particularly impressive so far, while on the weekend Chris Urie again showcased his brilliance with a seven-goal haul.
Halligan also praised his back line, including Dean MacFarlane, Jack Griffiths and Jack Deen, while adding that he was particularly pleased with how his side finished the game off on Saturday.
Kody Wilson (two goals) returned to the Cats lineup on the weekend and was hugely influential, as were Tyssen Morrow and Mick Urie, while Nick Walsh and Aaron Serong were gallant for the Crows.
CATANI v NILMA DARNUM
THE Bombers started their season with an almighty bang, thumping the Saints in Nyora to the tune of 124 points – yet that remains their only win to date, and a couple of their own losses since have been downright ugly.
While injuries seem to continue piling up for Dean Alger’s side, Saturday’s game against Catani loomed as a huge danger game and panned out according to form, with the Blues securing a 27-point win – 17.12 (114) to 14.3 (87).
Catani piled on seven goals to just three to take an early 26-point lead into the first change and the Bombers were unable to recover from that point on – despite closing out the contest with a six-goal final term.
Jason Wells (seven goals) was again superb up forward for the visitors, while Jake Schiavello and Harley Lacunes also put in strong performances, while arguably the most impressive aspect of the Blues’ win was their even spread of goal kickers – with Antonio Benvenuto leading the way with four in a best-on-ground effort, and former coach Josh Tymensen also slotting four. Nicholas Visser, Brandon Scammell and Tanny Rodda were also exceptional in Catani’s second win of the season.
LANG LANG v POOWONG
NOBODY would have seen Saturday’s ‘Slaughter at the Showgrounds’ coming – not least of whom Lang Lang player-coach Shane Urbans and his Poowong counterpart Brenton Lockhart.
Lockhart was feeling cautiously optimistic after his side’s 15-point win over Nyora in Round 3 but added the Lang Lang game would provide his men with a real measure of where they’re at.
And on Saturday’s reckoning, unfortunately for the Pies the answer is still a long way off after the Tigers slammed home 31 goals in a 151-point demolition, 31.10 (196) to 7.3 (45).
Luke Damon was the star for Lang Lang with 11 majors but, almost predictably, Urbans said the most pleasing aspect of the result was the even contribution from his whole side.
“Training was really good during the week and the intensity was right up,” he said.
“There’s real pressure for spots, which is great, but this week we want to play another four quarters.
“The harder we work, the quicker it’ll come.”
Kurt Batt also booted six for the Tigers, while Daniel Bence slotted three. Brenton Wildes and skipper Aaron Creasey were outstanding for the home side, while Clinton Rowe provided a rare shining light in a tough day for the Pies.
ELLINBANK v CORA LYNN
FROM a margin few would have predicted, to one many would have – Ellinbank was simply outclassed across every line against the Cobras on the weekend.
The visitors booted eight early goals and refused to let up, leading by 70 points at half-time and booting another 15 majors in the second half.
Ryan Gillis booted nine in a best-on-ground effort in the Cobras’ eventual 131-point win, while Ricky Clark, Sean Marchetti and Liam Toole were also sensational.
Cory Bevan booted four of Ellinbank’s eight goals in their 28.18 (186) to 8.7 (55) loss, while Brad Martin also stood tall.
NYORA v BULN BULN
IT WAS much the same story in Nyora, with Buln Buln charging to a 107-point win over the Saints – 21.14 (140) to 5.3 (33).
The home side led at quarter-time but the Lyrebirds came out firing in the second – piling on seven unanswered goals and refusing to relent from that point on.
Mitch Nobelius booted five in a starring role for Brent Eastwell’s side, and Tim Higgins and Josh O’Brien four apiece, while Dylan Heylan was Nyora’s best with three goals.
