The finals race in the Ellinbank District Football League is beginning to shape itself.
The top-six sides have created a two-game gap between the sides below them, with Neerim South cementing themselves as the clear-cut contender two months into the season.
Catani has been trampled on by Nilma Darnum in one of two upsets for the week, going down 10.12(72) to 14.12(96).
Catani’s first-month honeymoon period has been overturned having lost five of their last six games.
The Bombers were quick to fire the first shot, growing their early lead to 24 points at quarter time.
Outplayed in the second quarter, Nilma Darnum constructed 4.7 to 0.1 in the third term to extinguish any momentum of the Blues.
Versatile left-footer Lucas Maffei kicked five goals and Sage Tapner was at his best for the Bombers in their third win of the year.
Nilma Darnum is coming into its own over the last five weeks, conjuring a record of 3-2 to throw their cap into the finals rink, although unlikely.
Ben Geyer and Dean Smith were best on ground for Catani.
Neerim South is conquering any side in its path at the moment, dampening Lang Lang’s weekend 17.15(117) to 7.5(47).
The Cats were tested in all quarters but the second, packing on 5.4 to 0.2 to sew up the victory.
The in-season Hollywood star, Mason McGarrity, kicked another five goals to take his tally to 52 on the year.
The five-goal effort unbelievably dropped his average number of goals from 15 to under 12 since the beginning of round six, having kicked 18 and 12 in the previous two weeks.
Outside of McGarrity, tall forward Lachlan Bambridge was full of supply, kicking five goals and presenting up the ground as well.
Defender Tyler Pratt and star midfielder Kody Wilson were also among the best.
Brad Harding’s return to the seniors has been a welcoming sight for Lang Lang and Troy Dolan is in career-best form.
Trafalgar has inflicted more pain on Poowong, smashing the Magpies 27.16(178) to 3.5(23).
The Bloods kicked 17 goals to halftime and extended their lead by another eight goals after the break.
Young emerging star Isaac Caroleo kicked five goals, as did Matthew Swenson and coach Shane Brewster.
Newfound goalkicker Blake Slater added another four majors to his tally.
Kyle Beveridge and Danny Brewster starred for the Bloods, while Joseph Bisognin and David Miller were superb for Poowong.
Buln Buln’s winning streak has been elongated to four taking down Nyora 24.14(158) to 5.4(34).
A ten-to-two-goal second quarter put the result beyond doubt for the home side, who has snuck into the top four.
Stalwart Hayden Baker kicked a team-high six goals and Angus Mitchell dominated for Buln Buln, while Jordan Anderson and vice-captain William McGindle (two goals) impressed for Nyora.
Yarragon has shockingly upset Ellinbank to plummet their losing streak to five.
Braydon Preuss channelled his professional experience in a big four-goal, match-winning effort.
Ellinbank forward Lachlan Pratt kicked five goals for the home side and ruck Alex Olsen was tremendous.
Yarragon’s Jesse Hayhow kicked a goal at the 25:20 minute mark to give his side a 79-68 lead, before Logan Joyce snared a late one to pull it back to four points.
The Panthers held on, creating a two game buffer between themselves and the Eagles on the ladder.
Next week, Longwarry play host to Trafalgar to see who will capture the second position, at least for now.
The Crows are coming off a percentage-boosting win over Bunyip and goalkicker Jason Wells won’t take a backwards step after 18 goals last week.
At the same time, the Bloods have been the big risers this season, with Neerim South their only loss to date.
Ray Pickering’s men will welcome the unbeaten Neerim South in an attempt to stall their momentum.
Catani has kicked a score of over 100 twice this season through eight weeks, while Neerim South has kicked under 100 in two weeks.
Bunyip will travel down to Lang Lang as it continues to fossick for its first win in over 1000 days.
The Tigers currently sit fifth on the ladder, two games away from the third position.
Two of the larger losing streaks in the competition will face off in Poowong and Ellinbank.
The Eagles, after a 3-0 start, have lost their past five matches in unpredictable fashion.
The big winners from last week, Yarragon, will welcome Buln Buln to try their luck and improve their record to 6-3.
The loser of this battle will be a game outside of finals if Lang Lang is to beat Bunyip.
Results R8: Bunyip 6.5(41) v Longwarry 29.21(195), Nilma Darnum 14.12(96) def Catani 10.12(72), Neerim South 17.15(117) def Lang Lang 7.5(47), Trafalgar 27.16(178) def Poowong 3.5(23), Ellinbank 11.9(75) def by Yarragon 12.7(79), Buln Buln 24.14(158) def Nyora 5.4(34).
Ladder: Neerim South 32, Trafalgar 28, Longwarry 28, Buln Buln 20, Lang Lang 20, Yarragon 20, Ellinbank 12, Catani 12, Nilma Darnum 12, Nyora 8, Bunyip 0, Poowong 0.
Fixture R9 – Saturday 7 June: Lang Lang (5) v Bunyip (11), Longwarry (3) v Trafalgar (2), Catani (8) v Neerim South (1), Nyora (10) v Nilma Darnum (9), Poowong (12) v Ellinbank (7), Yarragon (6) v Buln Buln (4).
