By David Nagel and Jonty Ralphsmith
ELLINBANK AND DISTRICT
Its home ground on Taplins Road was rocking to the sound of the Catani theme-song on Saturday after the Blues scored their first victory of the season against Nilma Darnum.
Luke Young enjoyed his first taste of joy as coach of the famous club after the Blues rode a dominant five-goal second quarter to a 12.11.83 to 3.7.25 triumph.
It was the Blues first win since downing the Bombers by nine points on June 11 last year and just the fourth time they’ve sung the song since Covid.
But you get the feeling there’s more joy on the horizon with the Blues being a far more competitive outfit this year.
They’ve suffered heavy defeats at the hands of Ellinbank and Lang Lang, but have been tough to beat against Longwarry, Trafalgar and Yarragon.
They thoroughly deserved their first victory on the weekend.
The star of the show was former Tooradin-Dalmore stalwart Adam Splatt, who kicked four goals to revive memories of the form that saw him named at number 21 on the list of the top-25 players to have played at Tooradin since 1996.
Splatt had great support up forward from Lauchlan Gregson, who snagged three, while Tyson Robinson, Tom Keily, Josh Masset and Wade Haysom let rip with the vocal chords after solid four-quarter performances.
The timing of the victory was perfect, with the Blues having this Saturday off to celebrate before things get serious with a round-eight trip to Buln Buln.
Nyora is also celebrating its first win of the season after a grinding 23-point victory over Lang Lang.
After a tight and tough first quarter the Saints took control of the contest with a 5.0 to 0.2 second term.
Nick Anderson was magnificent for the winners with four goals, while Sam Dixon, Dylan Heylen and Max Mattock were influential figures around the ground.
Chaise Jordan continued his good form for Lang Lang, booting four goals, while Kaden Smith busted his boiler all day.
Trafalgar has bounced into second place on the ladder after the Bloods walked away from Poowong as 36-point winners.
The dangerous Matt Swenson was in good touch, booting four goals, as the Bloods raced away to a five-goal lead at half time, increasing to 36 at the final break.
The Magpies had their chances in the final term, but kicked 1.8 to 2.2 to square away the last stanza.
And last year’s grand finalists, Neerim South and Buln Buln, flexed their collective muscles against Longwarry and Yarragon respectively.
Luke Kinder kicked four, and Lachie Bambridge, Tom Crole, Lachie Guy and Jeremiah Jones three each in Neerim’s 139-point thrashing of Longwarry, while Buln Buln proved far too strong for the Panthers.
Dylan Cann was everywhere for the Lyrebirds, who Hayden Baker kick five and Reece Campbell four for the afternoon.
Zak Hogton and Tyler Payroli were best of the beaten brigade.
Ellinbank had the bye.
Results R6: Nyora 10.11.71 def Lang Lang 7.6.48, Poowong 5.14.44 def by Trafalgar 12.8.80, Neerim South 22.22.154 def Longwarry 1.9.15, Buln Buln 19.14.128 def Yarragon 6.6.42, Catani 12.11.83 def Nilma Darnum 3.7.25. Ellinbank – Bye.
Ladder: Buln Buln 24, Trafalgar 20, Ellinbank 16, Neerim South, Yarragon, Longwarry 12, Lang Lang, Poowong 8, Catani, Nyora 4, Nilma Darnum 0.
Fixture R7: Lang Lang (7) v Poowong (8), Trafalgar (2) v Neerim South (4), Longwarry (6) v Ellinbank (3), Yarragon (5) v Nyora (10), Nilma Darnum (11) v Buln Buln (1). Catani – Bye.
SOUTHERN DIV 3
Endeavour Hills has maintained its undefeated streak with a round five mauling of Heatherton.
The home team showed no mercy, piling on seven last quarter goals to skip out to a 94-point victory.
Ryan Johnson led the charge with eight goals while Brendan Moldrich was also strong for the victors.
Frankston Dolphins also remain undefeated with a 97-point win over Clayton, while Carrum Patterson Lakes proved far too strong for Lyndhurst.
Narre South Saints, meanwhile, were overpowered 17.15 117 to 5.11 41 by Ashwood, with Riley Lucas trying hard in the defeat.
Results R5: Heatherton 5.5 35 v Endeavour Hills 19.15 129, Frankston Dolphins 23.14 152 v Clayton 9.1 55, Carrum Patterson Lakes 15.16 106 v Lyndhurst 7.9 51, Narre South Saints 5.11 41 v Ashwood 17.15 117.
Ladder: Endeavour Hills 20, Frankston Dolphins 20, Ashwood 12, Carrum Patterson Lakes 8, Lyndhurst 8, Heatherton 8, Narre South Saints 4, Clayton 0.
Fixture R6: Endeavour Hills (1) v Frankston Dolphins (2), Ashwood (3) v Heatherton (6), Lyndhurst (5) v Narre South Saints (7), Carrum Patterson Lakes (4) v Clayton (8).
SOUTHERN DIV 4
Six goals to Brandon Nolan have lifted his season tally to 21 after just four games for Dandenong.
The Redlegs were far too strong for Lyndale, kicking 10 goals to two in the first half before it was party time in the second half.
After four goals in his first game of the season three weeks ago, Steve Sigeti contributed five on the day for the Redlegs.
Doveton Eagles, meanwhile, were outclassed by Hampton by 142 points.
The Eagles managed just one goal in the first half while leaking 13 as the home side ran rings around them.
South Mornington defeated Morrabbin by 19 points in the other game.
Results R5: Dandenong 22.13 145 v Lyndale 5.7 37, Hampton 27.17 179 v Doveton Eagles 6.2 38, Moorabbin Kangaroos 10.14 74 v South Mornington 14.9 93
Ladder: Moorabbin 12, South Mornington 16, Dandenong 12, Doveton Eagles 8, Hampton 4, Lyndale 0, South Yarra 0
Fixture R6: Lyndale (6) v South Yarra (7), Dandenong (3) v Hampton (5), Doveton Eagles (4) v Moorabbin Kangaroos (1). South Mornington: Bye.
