By Hayley Wildes
ELLINBANK AND DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
REVIEW – ROUND 3
On paper, Round 3 looked like a weekend of football that could produce some close games and that’s exactly what EDFL fans got.
With three games decided by under two goals, it was a round of football that saw one powerhouse fall and another hold off a young, fast-finishing side.
Longwarry escaped Poowong with a three-point win as the Crows held off the Magpies who came roaring home in front of their faithful on Saturday.
The Crows led comfortably by 27 points at the final break with the likes of Tye Holland, Russ Lehman and Daniel Fry (three goals) dominating.
To the Magpies’ credit, they didn’t go away and a five-goal to one final term saw them fight their way back into the contest behind an inspired performance from Jack Hazendonk (four goals).
It wasn’t enough though as the Crows held on for a thrilling 10.6 (66) to 10.3 (63) win.
Meanwhile, Nyora has lost consecutive games for the first time since 2017 after falling to Neerim Neerim South in a nail-biter at home.
The reigning premiers fell behind early and with one quarter to play, trailed by 19 points. The Saints, behind Ryan Spooner and Brad Arnold, fought back valiantly in the final quarter but inaccurate kicking cost them.
Chris Urie (four goals) ultimately led the Cats to a memorable four-point win, 7.5 (47) to 5.13 (43).
Lang Lang put forth an impressive first half performance against Catani, but the Blues kicked into gear after the main break to run out 25-point winners, 11.10 (76) to 8.3 (51).
Catani could only muster one goal in the first half as Lang Lang’s defence stood tall and the likes of Troy McPherson and Will McGindle were playing superbly. It wasn’t enough though; a 10-goal to four second half saw the Blues take control of the contest as Jackson Caddy, Liam Adams (three goals) and Nic Visser got heavily involved.
Buln Buln did just enough against the winless Nilma Darnum. The Lyrebirds trailed by 11 points at the main break as Patrick Chin (four goals) and Dylan Cann were doing it all for the Bombers.
After inaccurate kicking, 1.7 (13), plagued Buln Buln in the first half, they came to life in the third quarter with four goals as Matthew Gray and Jake Herbel took over. The Lyrebirds eventually claimed a 7.12 (54) to 6.7 (43) win.
Ellinbank set up its 63-point win over Yarragon with a dominant first half. The Bankers slammed on nine goals to one in the first half and went onto post a comprehensive win, 16.14 (110) to 7.5 (47). Mick Urie (four goals) and Mark Johnson (three goals) starred for Ellinbank.
