Stars align at Poowong

Crows in thriller

Longwarry took a much-needed win, but it wasn’t without its nervous moments in a thriller at Catani.

Longwarry held a slender lead at each change to eventually prevail by just five-points, 11-12-78 to 1013-73, with the win elevating the Crows into the top eight.

Semir Zijai kicked four goals for the Crows, while spearhead Owen Fitzpatrick and Ryan Eaton led the scoring for the Blues, each booting three majors.

Tye Holland stood up for the Crows, and he was well supported by Nicholas Walsh, Alexander Veitch, Brody Hamilton, Jason Smith and Nicholas Redley.

Midfielders Antonio Benvenuto and Nicholas Visser pushed the Blues close to victory, while Luke Macfarlane repelled numerous attacks.

Justin Evans, Jayke Hopkins and Cody Banbury were also prominent.

Cats scratch Demons

Neerim-Neerim South bounced back in emphatic style, comfortably accounting for fellow finals aspirant Koo wee rup.

The Cats gradually increased its lead to run out winners 15.12 (102) to 7.13 (55) and keep their top four aspirations on track.

Chris Urie kicked five goals in a best afield performance, while Robert Gillespie was also damaging with three goals.

Calum Shiels, Michael Urie, Dean Macfarlane and Nathan Bayne were also prominent, while Alex Gavin made a welcome return to the Cats line up.

Matthew Grant led the scoring for Koo wee rup with three goals, while captain Luke Walker kicked two goals to be the Demons’ best.

Ben Miller and Paul Gramc were also prominent.

The loss sees Koo wee rup slip outside the top eight, and the Demons will need to turn it around quickly.

Goon inflict first loss

Nar Nar Goon proved too strong in inflicting Warragul Industrials’ first loss of the season at Beaconsfield, 14-8-92 to 10-8-68.

In an enthralling contest Dusties took an 11-point lead into the first change.

The Goon is a quality side and hit back, scoring five goals in the second term to take a 10-point lead into half time.

Dusties kicked four goals in the third quarter to hold a narrow twopoint lead before Nar Nar Goon ran away with it in the last quarter, booting five goals to one to win by four goals.

Chris Langley and Brendan Hermann scored seven goals between them for the Goon, while other prominent players included Brent Hughes, Josh Grant, Nicholas Henwood and promising youngster Mitch Virtue.

Corey Nickels returned to form with four goals for Dusties.

Jayden Steers gave his midfielders good service with Jeremy Cattanach and Joel Gibson reaping the rewards.

Shane Brewster was also instrumental in his return from injury.

Bulldogs bite Tigers

Bunyip cruised to victory over Lang Lang, 12-10-82 to 6-11-47.

The Bulldogs did what was needed to take the points without being impressive, with a late burst sealing the deal with a five goal final quarter.

Bunyip had been unable to put the dogged Tigers away until that point, holding a slight 10-point lead at three-quarter-time.

Jack Blakey continued his good form for the Bulldogs with five goals, while Michael Whyte, Nathan Lieshout, Jake Proctor and Brad Wolfe also set up opportunities.

Spearhead Luke Damon led the scoring for the Tigers with four majors, while Aaron Creasey and Kurt Batt continued their good form.

Saints hold bottom

Ellinbank ensured it avoided bottom of the ladder status with an impressive win over Nyora, 2213-145 to 12-4-76.

The Bankers booted seven goals in the first quarter and were never headed in the big win, adding 11 goals after half time.

The Saints matched it with the Bankers in the second quarter, but again could not sustain the effort.

Sean Masterson helped himself to nine goals for Ellinbank, while Tom Johnson proved a handy side act with seven majors.

Andrew Quirk, Ashley Scott, Ashley Wallace and Shaun Phelan were also prominent.

Scott Clark again provided a good target for the Saints, booting four goals, while Dylan Heylen again stood out.

Five goals and a big mark from former Melbourne Demon Russell Robertson helped inspire Poowong to a 13-point win over Nilma-Darnum 12-8-80 to 10-7-67.

Former Collingwood Magpie Brodie Holland was also instrumental in the win, gathering 29 possessions, while former AFL player and player manager Ricky Nixon also proved a major talking point when he arrived at the ground in a stretched limousine.

It proved another hard luck story for Nilma-Darnum, who kept in touch throughout the contest.

The Bombers, who have been undermanned by injury and are only starting to get players back, would have been expected to take the points over the lowly Magpies under normal circumstances.

Many impartial judges in the large crowd who had gathered to watch the contest believe the presence of Robertson and Holland lifted the rest of the Magpie team and ultimately proved the difference in the final result.

In another blow to the Bombers they went into the contest without key playmaker Harley Lacunes, who was spotted at Garfield watching the Stars take on Cora Lynn.

Lacunes, who started his football career with Garfield, has put in a clearance to the Stars with his intention to finish his football career at the club.

Robertson and Holland aside, other better players for Poowong were Brenton Lockhart, Simon Gardiner, Jaemeel Knecht, Tim Hancock, Jordan Wyatt and Lachlan Green.

For the Bombers Nicholas Murray provided drive from defence, while Zeke Lamb and Ben Arnold won their fair share of possession.

Mitchell Goodwin and Tye Galley offered good targets while Casey Wells showed his potential.