By Jonty Ralphsmith
Marquee Lang Lang recruit Marc Holt delivered in a big way for the Tigers on Saturday, booting 10 goals in a 23.17 155 to 2.2 14 victory over Nyora.
After competing in the first term, Nyora was unable to stay with the visitors, conceding the last 19 goals of the match, including 10 in the second quarter as Lang Lang had it sewn up by halftime.
Holt’s 10 lifts him to the top of the Ellinbank District Football League (EDFL) goalkicking table two rounds into the season, two ahead of Longwarry’s Jason Wells.
Wells and regular Longwarry goalkicker Braydon McHugh finished with five each for the Crows, who won 19.14 128 to 10.16 76 over Nilma-Darnum.
A nine-goal second quarter got Longwarry out to a 45-point lead and it was a relative procession thereafter for the hosts.
Youngster Patrick Ireland continued his hot start to the season with five goals for Buln Buln, as the Lyrebirds overcame a slow start to defeat the Eagles 13.9 87 to 9.8 62 against Ellinbank.
Down by seven points at three-quarter-time, Buln Buln kicked seven goals to one in the last quarter to overcome a strengthened Bankers lineup in 2024.
After having a bye to start the season, Saturday was the Bankers’ first look at Drouin recruits Rhys Salter and Campbell Jolly and former Hampton Park midfielder Makaio Haywood.
Trafalgar, meanwhile, staved off a late challenge from Poowong to win a low-scoring tussle 8.6 54 to 5.9 39.
Down by 31 points and having kicked just one goal until three-quarter-time, Poowong closed in late, led by Tarwin recruit Jake Cochrane.
Fresh off a stint for the Banks Bulldogs in the Northern Territory Football League which runs through the southern summer months, Mitch van’t Hof was also strong in the loss.
At Dowton Park, Neerim South beat Yarragon 12.14 86 to 2.7 19.
Playing his first senior game since returning to Neerim South after a season for Kongorong in the Mid South Eastern Football League in the Mount Gambier region, Matt Roberts kicked four goals after starting the season with a best afield performance in the reserves last week.
Results: Yarragon 2.7 19 v Neerim South 12.14 86, Trafalgar 8.6 54 v Poowong 5.9 39, Longwarry 19.14 128 v Nilma Darnum 10.16 76, Buln Buln 13.9 87 v Ellinbank 9.8 62, Nyora 2.2 14 v Lang Lang 23.17 155
Ladder: Lang Lang 8, Longwarry 8, Buln Buln 8, Nilma Darnum 4, Neerim South 4, Trafalgar 4, Yarragon 4, Ellinbank 0, Poowong 0, Catani 0, Nyoro 0.
Fixture: Nilma Darnum v Catani, Poowong v Nyora, Ellinbank v Yarragon, Neerim South v Trafalgar, Lang Lang v Longwarry
