By Tyler Lewis
AROUND THE GROUNDS
ELLINBANK DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
ROUND 18
Reigning premier Nyora has snuck into the five with a 14.14 (98) to 3.7 (25) win over Lang Lang.
Ben Schultz (six goals) and Ilan Osman (four goals) combined yet again for the Saints, while Corey Boulton was the best for the Tigers.
Buln Buln, meanwhile, was the unfortunate side to have missed out on the finals from Nyora’s final round win.
The Lyrebirds went down to Ellinbank, 7.12 (54) to 7.5 (47).
They kicked four goals to none in the final term but it was too late to save their season with an upset win.
Hayden Baker slotted four for Buln Buln while Hayden Stagg was impressive for the minor premiers.
Longwarry recorded another strong win over Catani on the weekend, 23.15 (153) to 7.12 (54).
Braydon McHugh booted five and was impactful for the Crows while gun on-baller Paul Pattison was the best of the Blues.
Nilma Darnum’s brilliant goal kicking kept the side in the game before Poowong’s class prevailed for its 14.7 (91) to 10.2 (62) victory.
Jack Hazendonk was the best for the Pies with his five majors and Noah Ketchen played one of his best games for the year for the Bombers.
Meanwhile, Neerim Neerrim South’s blistering second half resulted in its big 24.13 (157) to 8.3 (51) win over Yarragon.
The Cats piled on 15 majors in the second half. Chris Urie was a key contributor with a five-goal, best afield performance for the Cats while Darcy Jones was prominent for the Panthers.
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
ROUND 17
Maffra sent a message on the eve of the finals when it demolished Drouin, 23.19 (157) to 6.7 (43).
Jack Johnstone filled his boots with seven for the Eagles in the massive victory, while Lachlan Channing continued his run of form.
Rhys Salter slotted two and was named best afield for Drouin, while Bailey Beck was also important for the Hawks.
Warragul was unable to climb off the bottom of the ladder in its 17.13 (115) to 11.17 (83) loss to Bairnsdale.
The Gulls were with the Dogs for the first half but lost the game in the third term, conceding seven majors.
Ben Hughes was impressive for the Gulls with a bag of six while at the other end, Brayden McCarrey booted five for the Dogs.
Kim Drew was yet again brilliant for Warragul, making it eight weeks in a row he has been named in the best for the Gulls.
SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE – DIVISION 2
ROUND 18
Keysborough’s stirring come-from-behind victory wasn’t enough to claim top spot over Springvale Districts, 13.10 (88) to 12.8 (80).
The Burras trailed at every break but stormed home with a strong victory in the final round of the year.
Tim Edwards was super for Keysborough with five majors while Matt Wetering slotted four for the Districts.
However, the win didn’t come with the margin the Burras needed to claim top spot, and was soured by an all in scuffle following the final siren including players and even the crowd.
Skye, meanwhile, has caused a boilover in the final round of its season in an upset over Doveton Eagles, 9.12 (66) to 7.12 (54).
Cameron Carmody booted four for the Eagles in the narrow loss while Keenan Hatch was important for the Bombers.
Fortunately for the Eagles, the loss didn’t do any damage to their finals position as they sit fourth on the ladder.
DIVISION 3
ROUND 18
Hampton Park shook off its slow start to over-run Black Rock, 16.12 (108) to 9.7 (61).
Peter Dye (five goals) kicked another handful while Luke Behin was named the best for the Redbacks. The Redbacks sit four wins clear atop the ladder heading into their semi-final next week.
Clayton got the jump on Endeavour Hills in the opening half and coasted to an 11.11 (77) to 3.11 (29) victory. Ben Holland stood strong for the Hills in the big loss.
Despite the defeat, the Hills still sit in third on the ladder and will take on Ashwood in next week’s elimination final.
DIVISION 4
ROUND 18
Lyndale won the battle of the bottom against Dandenong, 23.17 (155) to 11.6 (72).
Lyndale was wasteful early but moved on from the sloppy start to pile on 21 majors after the first break.
Trent Day was stupendous with seven majors while Brett Tosh was also important in the solid victory.
Hallam, meanwhile, recorded an important win over second-placed South Yarra, 10.5 (65) to 2.11 (23).
The Hawks were yet to trouble the scorers at the first interval, but from then on kept the Lions goalless to ultimately run away with an impressive win on the eve of the finals.
Rory McIvor was best-on again for the Hawks while Julian Belfrage was impressive for the Lions.
Lyndhurst secured top spot with a strong victory over the Frankston Dolphins, 9.11 (65) to 7.4 (46).
The Dolphins stormed home, keeping the Lightning goalless in the final term, but the horse had already bolted.
David Ford kicked three for the Lightning and Jarrod Murphy was named best afield.
Lyndhurst and South Yarra will face off in the first semi-final for a place in the grand final, while Hallam and Frankston will do battle for a place in the preliminary final.
EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
ROUND 17
The finals-bound Rowville knocked off Noble Park, 12.7 (79) to 7.9 (51), away on the weekend.
The Hawks kept themselves in the match through accurate kicking early and then accelerated to victory, leading at every change on their way to their 11th win for 2019.
Ex-St Kilda and Essendon defender James Gwilt was a real standout for the Hawks while Jake Gains was named as the best for the Bulls.
Rowville has a crucial finals-like clash in the final round of the year next week when it plays host to third placed Blackburn – while the difficult draw continues for Noble Park as it takes on the second-placed Balwyn.
