Some wayward goal-kicking from Kooweerup key forward Ben Miller didn’t help the Demons on their way to a 40-point loss to Buln Buln on Saturday. 50352 Picture: Kim Cartmell
By Ken Moore
CALLUM Pattie made a successful start to his coaching career after he guided Bunyip to a hard fought 27 point victory over Poowong.
The Magpies only trailed by 12 points at three quarter time but the Bulldogs showed the greater resolve in the last quarter.
Pattie replaced his former Doveton mentor Steve Henwood, who resigned last week, led by example and was prime mover in and around the midfield all match.
Glen Browney, a former EDFL goal kicking centurion turned back the clock and underscored a fine game with six goals while defenders Marc Jolley, Chris Savage and Andrew Hobday provided plenty of run and grunt.
Youngster Jed Saik used his ample body strength to good advantage across the forward line and ruckmen Marc Rotunno and Jack Fitzpatrick teamed well and both put in noteworthy efforts.
Young Poowong tyro Ben Hancock floated all over the forward line and popped through three goals.
Brent Fitzgerald was busy around the packs, Trevor Hooker hauled in many marks and youngster Jake Cochrane continued where he left off last week with a another fine game.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Buln Buln v Kooweerup
With the game up for grabs at three quarter time, Buln Buln thundered home with a seven goal to one last quarter to win by 40 points over Kooweerup.
Not for the first time this season the Demons failed to run out the game. Marquee Lyrebird recruit Ricky Hayes starred, kicking seven goals including three in the last quarter to ice the game.
Forward pocket Jake Mullen, three goals, was lively and gave the home side plenty of drive when he moved to the wing in the last quarter and veteran Anthony Baker played his first senior game for the season and did well on the ball when he was introduced off the interchange bench.
Mitch Nobelius set up a number of goals and centre man Daniel Charles was in and under the packs all game.
Buln Buln’s victory was all the more meritorious because it had to overcome the loss of key ruckman Brendan Fredericks to a hamstring injury five minutes into the game and Brent Smith, also to a hamstring injury early in the second term.
For the Demons, Ryan Kitchen showed he was coming of age as a ruckman with another top game, ruck rover Rhys Morgan barged into the contests all match and Craig Dyker solidified the defence.
Centre half forward Ben Miller plucked in some good marks but undid some of his good work with some ordinary kicking on goal.
Half forward Ayden Mills was lively and Jason Williams eked out many disposals at both ends of the ground.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Catani V Nilma Darnum
Catani chiselled out a 28 point victory over a determined Nilma Darnum.
Nilma were good but not quite good enough. The Bombers trailed by 23 points at three quarter time and shaved the margin to only 10 points in the final term before the Blues responded to the challenge.
Crafty Catani centre man Matt Campbell was at his sure footed best and snuck forward to slot through four goals and received good support from Luke McFarlane and Russell Lehman. Forwards Owen Fitzpatrick and Andrew Morozoff gave their midfielders a good target and Nathan Ruskin provided his usual no nonsense defence. In his 200th game, Shane Fitzpatrick put in his usual stock in trade workmanlike performance.
For Nilma midfielders James Hammill and Harley Lacunes pumped the ball forward on a regular basis, back pocket Daniel Vella stymied many attacks and Josh O’Brien shackled Catani star Luke James.
Forward Tim Light, three goals, led and competed well and wingman Jade Jensen started a number of important forward attacks.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Neerim Neerim South V
Lang Lang
Neerim Neerim South put a down payment on sixth spot and with it, a finals berth after it accounted for a gritty Lang Lang by 26 points.
Cat half back Gabe Marsden got plenty of the ball and used it well, Chris and Mick Urie both played a big hand across the forward line, ruckman Matt Young competed well while midfielder Cam Hinkley and wingman Joel Whitford pushed the ball into the Cats’ attacking 50 metre arc many times.
For Lang Lang, Chris McCurdy put his body into many contests, Aaron Creasey, Shaun Dwyer and Ricky Caddell set up a number of forward moves and in defence James Hawker, showed he was adapting to senior football with his best game for the season.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Cora Lynn V Ellinbank
Cora Lynn cruised to a 68 point victory over Ellinbank. The Cobras kicked 22 goals, a top effort taking into account the Cora Lynn ground was both a tad heavy and sticky.
Midfielders Lincoln Withers, Brendan Kimber and Jack Allen relished the conditions, showed their customary hardness at the ball and prised open the Banker defence far too easily.
Michael Duiker provided good drive from behind the centre and his accurate kicking was a feature of his game.
Ruckman Brad Horaczko won many disposals around the ground and doubled as a forward target, steering home two goals, Balraj Singh marked everything that came his way and Jeremy Duiker held the defence together.
Matt Robinson, six goals and Beau Runnalls, five goals, posed a headache for the Ellinbank defence. Banker midfielders Mark Johnson, Josh Petersen and Stephen Ballingall all put in sustained efforts over all the course of the game, Jayson Barwick played one of his best games since crossing from Drouin over summer, bagging six goals and Josh Helliwell displayed his talent with a terrific game across the backline.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Nyora v Longwary
Nyora crushed Longwarry by 78 points. Rover and assistant coach Cory Wilson knocked up getting possessions, as did coach Corrie Wilson, who also notched five goals.
Aiden Cumberland was a prime mover linking defence with attack all afternoon, Nick Fairbank and Dylan Bracebridge fortified the Saints’ defence and debutant Luke Tagliaferro did enough to earn another game.
Veteran Longwarry ruckman Luke Tymensen is having a tremendous season and once again made a big impact, coach Grant McDonald, Jason Garritty and Aaron Serong all had a crack.
In only his sixth game for the season due to injury, Luke Serong kicked four goals and reinforced how much the Crows have missed his presence this season.
