By Ken Moore
NAR NAR GOON moved up to fourth spot and sent out a big warning to all rivals that it is coming good, after a sluggish start to the season, when it annihilated Kooweerup by 112 points.
The stronger bodied Goon repeatedly pushed their younger Demon opponents off the ball.
After Kooweerup youngster Ricky Caddell scored an early goal – their only one for the game – the home side pretty much won the disputed ball for the rest of the match.
Nar Nar Goon midfielder Ben Keane reinforced he was one of the most improved players in the competition with another commanding game, wingman Dean Kelly regularly broke the lines and youngster Jackson Payroli competed well and took a few good grabs across the half forward line.
Coach Clint Williams had his customary influence, mature ROC recruit Craig Eagleton, in his first game for the seniors, was prominent in and around the middle and young forward Jackson Fromhold, in his first game, crumbed the ball well around the big sticks and did enough to suggest he will earn more senior appearances.
Those to have a crack for the disappointing Demons included defenders Neil Watson, Sean Miller and Matt Brady, the later, who was up from the thirds, while debutant Ryan Pavitt did more than enough to justify his selection.
LOWLY placed Buln Buln produced one of the boilovers of the season, when they beat second placed Bunyip by four points.
Springvale Districts recruit Anthony Bernado was a catalyst behind the Lyrebirds victory. He kicked three third quarter goals and four for the match and played a big role in helping turn a 13 point half time deficit into an 18 point three quarter time lead.
The Bulldogs looked on target for victory when it kicked three goals inside the opening 10 minutes of the last quarter to snatch back the lead, before a late Lyrebird goal sent the Bulldogs home with their tails between their legs.
Buln Buln tall Craig Kennedy adjusted well to the trying conditions and won disposals all over the field, Adam Jostlear was often in and under the packs and Rick Hayes and Luke Grabowski propped up the Lyrebirds defence.
Daniel Charles used the ball smartly and half forward Brad Davidson and half back Doug Black, who are both still eligible for the thirds, looked the goods.
For Bunyip, Stratford recruit Marcus Cleary crumbed plenty of disposals, Stuart Edwards and Steve Berryman fortified the defence and like his opponent Craig Kennedy, ruckman Marc Rotunno also showed good skills at ground level and Brad Walker and Callum Pattie energised the midfield.
POOWONG kept in touch with the top six after a 39 point victory over Nyora.
The Magpies trailed by five points at quarter time but raised their game in the second quarter and with Kael Bergles deadly around the big sticks with seven goals, it was his finishing ability that made the difference.
Midfielder Ash Adams ignited the Magpies after quarter time and was lent able support from Glen Attenborough and Matt Grant, who both bored in for the ball.
Ruckman Connor Cunningham took some great grabs and half back Troy Aust and full back Alex Rose weighed in with steady contributions.
For Nyora, wingman Robbie Mulvahill, up from the under-18s, set up a number of forward moves, Clinton Yapp, Andy Collis and Brodie Yapp were involved in a lot of the rearguard action and Nick Fairbank shouldered the ruck duties and made his presence felt.
CATANI’S miserable season continued after it went down by 23 points to Ellinbank.
The Blues could only manage one goal for the game, kicked in the last quarter by new recruit Beau Ridgeway.
The Bankers grabbed the initiative with four goals before half time and after the main break the deteriorating ground surface made scoring almost impossible.
Midfielder Josh Peterson was a prime mover for the Eagles and Andrew Quirk, Neil Parke, Tim Farthing and Brett Masterson provided frugal defence.
Ruckman Brenton Lockhart instigated plenty of drive, his former Drouin teammate Malcolm Dow was lively in the first half and youngster Nathan Paredes laid a number of terrific tackles. Diehard Catani captain Luke McFarlane did well in close quarters, Jake Delphine, Andrew McKenna and Justin Evans sharked plenty of the ball and Tom Grant did his utmost to turn defence into attack. The Blues can now kiss goodbye to a finals berth.
NEERIM Neerim South proved too strong for Nilma Darnum, winning by 39 points.
Leigh Sheehan and Chris Urie were a potent midfield force, Tyssen Morrow was one of the few players to show clean skills in the difficult conditions and was also the major goalscorer in the game, slotting through three majors.
Danny Sheehan stabilised the defence, veteran Jack Halligan read play well across the forward line and Scott Muir worked hard and played a big part in the Cats victory.
Nilma gave as good as it got in the first quarter but fell away over the ensuing terms.
The Bombers tried hard but could only manufacture two goals, kicked by Papua New Guinean recruit Stanis Susuve and Garfield recruit Andrew Fyffe, both before half time.
Shane Youngman provided stout resistance, Harley Lacunes and Michael Mooney put in assured displays and another PNG player, ruckman John Ikupu, refused to let the heavy ground daunt him.
