By Tyler Lewis
After starting the season with such glamour, league new-comer Trafalgar have suffered its second loss in as many weeks, as Buln Buln cement itself as a contender.
It will be a loss the Bloods may rue come September, after holding a crucial two goal lead heading into the final stanza.
Notorious for a fast start, the Bloods held a lead at the first change, albeit by only a kick.
In a low scoring affair – where goals were like gold – the Lyrebirds snagged three in the second term to take a four point buffer into the main break.
With an obvious scoring end, the Bloods made the most of their opportunities in the premiership term, kicking two to regain the lead.
A grandstand finish loomed at the final interval, with the quiet-achieving Buln Buln unit kicking to the scoring end in the last.
The visiting side made the most of its chances and held up defensively, kicking 2.1 to the Bloods 0.2, taking home a crucial 6.5 (41) to 5.9 (39) win.
The win is vital for the Lyrebirds in terms of ladder position, but also in terms of mental edge come finals time, as the two sides appear firm favourites to face off in the first week of the post season.
While a two point margin kept the fans on the edges of their seats at Trafalgar, 73-points was the next closest margin across the competition, as half the league notched percentage boosting wins.
It was the Jason Wells show at Yarragon, with the zippy forward kicking a whopping 14 majors.
Of the ten sides that played on the weekend, Wells alone scored more than six of them.
Likened by many as a Charlie Cameron type operator, Wells filled his boots in the big win and extended his lead as the league’s most potent sharp-shooter.
The Panthers managed to hit the scoreboard in every stanza, but the Crows kicked five in the first, seven in the second, five in the third and finished strongly with eight in the last.
Braydon McHugh kicked seven, but was well over shadowed by his partner in crime, who now has 43 majors for the season.
Unsurprisingly, his coaches awarded him best on, as will the umpires.
The 25.18 (168) to 4.4 (28) thumping leaves the Crows only one win outside the top five, with a delightful percentage of 173 and a game in hand over fifth placed Poowong.
The undefeated Ellinbank, meanwhile, continued on its merry way, dispatching Nyora.
The Bankers didn’t have it all their way in the opening half, but the Saints kicked poorly, which kept them out of the match entirely.
The home side had more scoring shots in the opening stanza, but didn’t fire, heading into the first huddle with just four minor scores on the board.
Missing opportunities against an outfit like Ellinbank can only go unpunished for so long, and that’s exactly what occurred, with the Eagles kicking 16 majors after half time to the Saints five.
Ben Wragg was impressive in the 18.14 (122) to 5.9 (39) win, while Daniel Risol also kicked three in a good performance.
The challenges don’t get much easier for the Saints, taking on the inform Buln Buln this weekend.
Unfortunately for Catani, the heroics of last week were short-lived, with the Blues copping a pounding from Neerim Neerim South.
The Cats got the jump on their home deck and never relented, winning every term.
Chris Urie was again stupendous, kicking half a dozen in the dominant display.
The 19.15 (129) to 4.2 (26) win comes as the Cats fifth, who now sit just percentage behind Longwarry in the mouth-watering race for finals.
Despite the early prominence of Nilma Darnum livewire Clay Ketchen, the Bombers suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Lang Lang.
The Bombers actually led at the first change, courtesy of a combination of Ketchen and wayward kicking from the yellow and black.
The ascendancy soon shifted, as the Tiges kicked into gear and run away with a resounding 19.18 (132) to 9.5 (59) walloping.
Ex-AFL player Liam Sumner returned for his first game since late May, sparking some energy in the Lang Lang outfit.
