By Hayley Wildes
ELLINBANK AND DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
REVIEW – ROUND 2
In a rematch of last year’s grand final, Longwarry and Nyora once again battled out an absolute thriller.
After Nyora claimed a famous four-point win in the 2018 decider, the Crows got a small piece of revenge over the Saints on Saturday, coming away with a two-point win on their home deck.
The Saints came out firing in the first half as Ben Schultz (three goals), Dylan Heylen and Ilan Osman put on a show. At the main break, Nyora held a 6.5 (41) to 2. 4(16) lead.
The Crows needed to respond and respond they did.
On the back of Russ Lehman (three goals), Jedd Serong (two goals) and Nick Redley, Longwarry stormed to within two points of Nyora at the final break, courtesy of a four-goal to zero third quarter.
With early season bragging rights on the line, neither team took a backwards step and after a titanic struggle in the final minutes of the game, Longwarry came out on top by two points, 10.7 (67) to 9.11 (65).
Russ Lehman and Nick Redley were superb for Longwarry, while Brad Arnold and Dylan Heylen were best for Nyora.
Meanwhile, Catani registered its first win of the season with a crushing victory at home over Yarragon.
The Blues were dominant from start to finish, scoring five goals to zero in the first term and 10 goals to three in the fourth to win by 100 points, 24.12 (156) to 7.14 (56).
Nick Visser (seven goals) ran riot up forward, while Daniel Barrand (five goals) and Paul Pattison (four goals) were also potent in attack.
Lang Lang led by four points at the final break against Neerim Neerim South at home, but was unable to hang on.
It was a battle of the dominant forwards as Tyssen Morrow (seven goals) and Ben Mitchell (seven goals) traded majors all afternoon, but eventually Morrow led his team to victory, 13.13 (91) to 13.4 (82).
Buln Buln scored its maiden win of the season, taking care of Poowong at home, 16.8 (104) to 11.7 (73). Hayden Baker (eight goals) starred for the Lyrebirds, while Jack Hazendonk was best for the Magpies.
Ellinbank remains unbeaten and on top of the ladder after an 80-point win over Nilma Darnum, 19.15 (129) to 7.7 (49). Adam Cook (six goals) and Jordyn Flannery (four goals) were dynamic up forward for the Bankers, while Ben Campbell (four goals) did all he could for the Bombers.
