By Ken Moore
LANG Lang produced the upset of the season when it beat Cora Lynn by three points.
The Cobras appeared on target for another percentageboosting win when they shot to a 40point lead in the first quarter before the Tigers began to claw their way back into the contest. A goal by young Tiger Jake Dwyer in timeon completed the Cobras’ fifth defeat and jeopardised their chances of securing third position.
Cora Lynn failed to pay the Tigers’ midfield of Alex Saraikin, Adam Baxter and Andrew Dowson respect and the twopronged attack of Kurt Batt (five goals) and Peter Stapleton (four) proved a handful for the Cobras’ defence. Defenders Stuart Casey and Dale McIntyre put their bodies into many contests in a top team effort. Cora Lynn was well served by wingman Lee Dowsett, Chad Ingram, Ben Collins and Abe Roder, who all won plenty of possessions. The best thing to emerge for the Cobras was the form of tall utility Ben McKay in his first game back for a month.
Catani eclipsed NeerimNeerim South by 61 points after an entertaining 50goal shoot out. The Cats showed plenty of fight and led early in the third quarter before the Blues put the result out of sight with a nine goalstofour third term. Wingman Josh Tymensen, halfback Andrew Stockx and midfielders Paul Alger and Troy Wilson provided the midfield spark. Despite conceding six goals against Paul Whelan, Chris Maclean effected many telling spoils and Owen Fitzpatrick reinforced his standing as one of the premier forwards in the league with a superb sevengoal effort. Debutante Tony Coupe put in a solid performance in defence. NeerimNeerim South centre halfforward Chris Urie played a big role, popping through seven goals, halfback Darren Ratten was busy all game and Josh O’Brien racked up many hardball gets.
Buln Buln has bowed out of finals contention after it lost to Longwarry by 21 points. The Lyrebirds did not go down without a fight and held the lead until late in the third quarter before the Crows rammed on three unanswered goals to snatch back the lead and draw clear by threequarter time. Longwarry’s victory was largely due to Tye Holland, one of the favourites to win the league bestandfairest award this season, who won a stack of possessions and steered through four goals. Dean Dallinger has found his niche in the ruck and impressed for the second consecutive week and Tim Milner and Leigh McDonald were a pillar of strength in defence. Buln Buln captaincoach Brent Eastwell tried hard to inspire his charges and was in everything around the packs and had strong support from Michael Pratt, ruckman Brad Peters and Anthony Baker in his 300th game. Paul Pratt did well the keep Crows’ sharpshooter Glenn Browney to only two goals and Dale Brew put in an assured display from his back pocket.
Fuelled by a strong finish, Poowong defeated Ellinbank by 29 points. Two goals apiece by Matt Joseph and Luke James in the last quarter helped the Magpies to their eighth win of the season after the scores were level at the final change. Poowong forwards Trevor Hooker, Mitch Cooper and Rohan Best were all prominent and Jess Attenborough won many touches midfield. Dependable Eagle midfielders Ricky Johnson, David Quirk, Luke Bond and Coby Jolley were a menace all game.
Nar Nar Goon pummelled NilmaDarnum by 148 points. After the Bombers notched the first goal of the match the Goon went on ninegoal spree to wrest control of the game by quartertime. Clint Sheedy wreaked havoc among in the Bombers’ defence, guiding home 14.1 and receiving plenty of support from midfielders Luke Dore, Blair Lidstone and John Rantall. Shane Youngman, Chris Weller and James Hazler all gave a good account of themselves for the Bombers, who finished strongly with three lastquarter goals.
Kooweerup jumped Warragul Industrials thanks to seven firsthalf goals by chief Demon playmaker Scott Morrison. After setting up a 38point lead at the first break the Dusties held their own for the next three quarters and kept the final margin to 34 points. Chris Stanley, Rod Hoober and Steve Hobson were vital cogs in the Demon midfield and Morrison went on to bag 10 majors. Andrew Morrison, a regular defender, proved a surprise packet with four goals and Chris Jones across halfforward and in the ruck made his presence felt. Nathan Vanderplight burrowed in all match and fed the ball out well and Damian Dawson played a disciplined game in a tagging role. Sixteenyearold Dave McRory made a fine debut, picking up many handy possessions.