By Ken Moore
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:DEMONS TAME CATS
AN eight-goal haul by veteran Jack Halligan helped Neerim Neerim South sink Kooweerup by 120 points.
The young Demons did not have the physical strength to match their more mature opponents, were frequently pushed off the ball and could only muster one goal in the second half.
Hard at the ball Cats Tyssen Morrow and Mick Urie were in and under the packs all game, 17-year-old wingman Joel Whitford played an eye-catching game, defender Matt Cumming read play well and took over a dozen marks and Scott Muir made the most of his opportunities when he was introduced to the game after starting on the interchange bench.
Demon utility Ben Miller showed good aerial skills across the forward line and in the ruck, Sandown recruit Jesse McDonald had a busy midfield presence, veteran tall Gerard Bongiorno scrapped hard and youngsters Max Longson and Ryan Wilby showed good poise despite being under constant pressure across the half-back line.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:SAINTS EDGE OUT CROWS
LONGWARRY dug itself out of a hole to beat Nyora by 15 points.
The Saints looked to have the game well in their keeping when they led by 28 points mid way through the last quarter before the Crows conjured a miraculous revival.
Assistant Coach Tye Holland played an inspired game. He won a number of crucial centre clearances in the last quarter when the game was on the line and received terrific midfield assistance from his younger brother, Dylan.
Luke Serong showcased his prowess around the goals, slotting through six majors and the McDonalds, Grant and Leigh, did their usual grunt work across the half-forward line.
Leigh Kearney shone with his ruck tap work and Aaron Serong did a good job down back.
For Nyora, Geoff Hibberd stood up to be counted with five goals, coach Corrie Wilson (four goals) proved elusive and Nick Fairbank quelled the influence of last week’s star, Adam Pavlovic.
Cory Wilson, Darryl Thomas and 16-year-old Jay Breen engineered most of the Saints midfield drive and ruckman Nick Carrigy had a dip.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:DUSTIES SHOW OF STRENGTH
WARRAGUL Industrials shook off a slow start to pummel a listless Buln Buln by 98 points.
Fleet-footed Dusties ruck-rovers Chris Larosa and Rhett O’Hara won a ton of the ball, Chris Potalej set up a number of goals with his probing left-foot kicks and 17-year-old Tom Synan crumbed the packs well to steer through four goals.
Matt Willis, Manny Perresso and Jamie West repelled the best Buln Buln could offer and provided good run out defence.
The Lyrebirds chances were undermined by poor skills and simply spent too much time chasing.
Coach Daniel Charles and new recruit Anthony Bernardo spent plenty of time with the ball and Cam Nugent snuck forward to post three goals but aside from this trio, few other Lyrebirds rose to the challenge.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:BANKERS CASH IN
ELLINBANK brushed aside Nilma Darnum by 66 points.
The Bombers were competitive in the first quarter but depleted by injury could not keep up the pressure over the ensuing three quarters.
Longwarry recruit Beau Ridgeway, Andrew Quirk and Ash Wallace kept the midfield momentum up for the Bankers all game, Drouin recruit Brenton Lockhart impressed in the ruck and David Scott Smith snagged six goals and was a focal point inside the Bankers’ attacking 50-metre zone.
Ruck-rover and Crib Point recruit Luke Shelly was one of the few shining lights for Nilma.
Captain Harley Lacunes roamed far and wide and gave plenty of cheek and Mal Michael in attack and occasionally with a few runs behind the centre made some telling contributions.
