Bunyip’s Stephen Henwood played well across half-forward in the win over Lang Lang. 29949By Ken Moore
Last season’s cellar dwellers, Warragul Industrials, have outstripped everyone’s expectations over the first month of the season and on Saturday emerged as a viable finals prospect after producing an upset six-point victory over Nar Nar Goon.
After an even first half the Dusties forged a 23-point lead in the third quarter but the Goon kept coming and made the Industrials work hard to achieve victory. Mercurial Dusties forward Mick Santo proved hard to pin down with eight goals, all before three-quarter time and rugged Narre Warren recruit Brett Wadleton was in the thick of the action all game.
Agile ruckman Ben Hobgen generated plenty drive with some deft tap work at both the centre bounces and around the ground while Jason Kennedy, Shane Brewster and Matthew Groat added plenty of bite across the forward line.
For the Goon, Brent Hughes offered plenty of drive when he was moved from the backline to the wing, Matt Keane did well in the last line of defence and Matt Slattery pumped the ball inside the 50-metre zone regularly and tried hard to inspire his team-mates with some well executed tackles.
Chris Jones popped up with five goals to be the pick of the Goon forwards and Brent Cowell found plenty of the ball in the second half.
Bulldogs maul Lang Lang
Bunyip’s good early season form showed no sign of abating after it romped home by 50 points over Lang Lang.
The Bulldogs wrapped up the game in the in the second quarter when it started to run and carry the ball and with five unanswered goals it turned a nine-point deficit at quarter time into a 21-point lead at half-time.
After an even third quarter the Bulldogs finished strongly with a five goal to one last quarter to gain valuable percentage.
Brent Hughes started in defence but relished a move forward in the second term and went on to score six goals.
Robbie Dierickx read play well and used the ball sensibly to spark the Bulldogs early, Michael Whyte was in everything and his 30-plus possessions were testament to his ball winning ability.
Brendan Chapman and Wayne Morris drove the ball forward all match and young half forward Stephen Henwood acquitted himself well. Lang Lang wasted too many possessions and hit the post on five occasions which did not help their cause.
Chris McCurdy shouldered the brunt of the ruck work, Sean Dwyer was lively across half forward and Aidan Brown put in a solid game in the last line of defence. Sixteen-year-old debutant Ben Barwick put his head over the ball all game, showed quick hands and shapes as a good long-term prospect.
Demons pip Lyrebirds
Nine points was all that separated Kooweerup and Buln Buln in favour of the Demons. With the scores level at three-quarter time, Kooweerup came out firing with the first three goals of the last quarter to set up a match winning lead before Buln Buln rallied late. Gavin Marusic, Rhys Morgan and Dan Mullins provided the engine room for the Demons, Ben Miller excelled at both ends of the field and debutant Brent Hood played a disciplined game and eked out many handy possessions.
For the Lyrebirds, midfielders Che Jenkins and Mitch Nobelius both found plenty of the ball, Rhys Hall provided rebound from the half back line, centre-half back Jeremy Jagoe and full back Rick Mitchard solidified the defence. The victory keeps the Demons within sight of a top six position.
Cats tear up Bankers
Neerim Neerim South brushed aside Ellinbank by 83 points. After an even first quarter the Cats surged clear in the second quarter to open up a 30-point lead at the main break and built upon it in the third and fourth quarters.
Chris Urie won plenty of the ball and capped off a fine game with seven goals, Tyssen Morrow tore hard at the ball all game, Mick Urie won a stack of possessions and 16-year-old forward Jack Fallon provided the highlight of the game when he pulled in a big grab in the first quarter an followed it up with an accurate kick on goal.
For the Bankers, Steven Ballingall and Mark Johnson were busy midfield, defender Neil Parke repelled plenty of attacks and Jack Weeding bobbed up with plenty of the ball across half forward.
Magpies swoop on Saints
Poowong condemned Nyora to its fourth straight loss after it chalked up a 51-point victory over the Saints.
The Magpies were powered by mid-fielders Beau Anthony, Jarred Attenborough, Ryan Fitzgerald and Matt Grant, Dave Miller anchored the defence and tall youngster Ben Hancock presented well in front of the big sticks and netted four goals.
Nyora Assistant Coach Cory Wilson tried hard to lift his team with four goals, Brad Francis cleared the ball from the danger zone regularly, young wingman Brodie Yapp did well and back pocket Daniel Barton offered plenty of resistance as did Clayton recruit Jason Isaac.
