By Dylan Beaumont
Thirty goals in two weeks!
The amazing numbers continue to stack up for Neerim South forward Mason McGarrity who backed up his incredible haul of 18 goals with a dozen more this week; taking his tally to 47 for the season and now just two goals behind Longwarry’s Jason Wells on the EDFL goalkicking list.
Nearly two months into the season, Neerim South is unbeaten through seven rounds and refuse to relent, with Poowong the latest victim of their blistering dominance.
Record books were half opened as the Cats recorded a score of 38.22(250) to the Magpies’ 4.3(27).
McGarrity kept a cool head about his performance, proud of how his side is travelling through the season to date.
“I’m not sure what’s happening,” he said.
“The first quarter was pretty good but then after that we put all our backs down forward so they could kick a few goals; we’re playing pretty well.
“I haven’t kicked 30 in two games before, maybe 17 but I’d have to check.”
With a tough task in Lang Lang this week, McGarrity is confident his side will handle responsibilities.
“We should go alright, we’ll get a few back because we have three or four out,” he said.
The Cats led by 50 points at quarter time, 110 at halftime, 158 at three-quarter time before their final winning margin of 223 points.
Buln Buln has stunned Lang Lang, defeating them by five points, 6.8(44) to 5.9(39).
Goalless at halftime, the Lyrebirds kicked 6.3 to 2.4 to snatch victory away, with a late goal from Bailey Leatham sewing up the victory.
The Lyrebirds are now in the finals bracket, moving up to fifth on the ladder.
The win was accentuated by the efforts from Daniel Axford, Matthew Gray and Will Battley, who were all tremendous.
Lang Lang’s former captain Josh Brown kept the game alive for his side, while Marc Holt kicked two goals.
Longwarry’s high-octane first half overpowered the efforts of Ellinbank who fought hard in the second half.
At 32 points the difference at half time, Ellinbank drew within 21 points before a Crows avalanche culled any hope the Eagles had left.
Lachlan Willis and Brayden Chandler were fantastic for Longwarry and goal sneak Wells mustered four goals.
Ellinbank defender Liam Anderson was sublime, shutting down forward leads from Jedd Serong and Braydon McHugh all day.
Ellinbank has now lost four consecutive games, arising concerns about their form.
Catani has locked away its third win of the season, outplaying Bunyip 14.16(100) to 8.5(53).
The Bulldogs, who fought valiantly, outscored the Blues in the final quarter to cut the final margin to 47.
Ned Ashton kicked three goals and Ben Stewart was their best player.
Catani coach Ray Pickering admits it was a sluggish performance from his side who are still finding their feet after a loss last week.
“We were scratchy, it wasn’t the best game with tough conditions,” he said.
“We’re not playing our best like we were in the first five rounds.
“We’ve obviously got a young group who were firing in the first five weeks but it’s hard to keep a young group up for each chunk of the season.
“Trafalgar was pretty good last week and gave us a different look.
“We lost our way and we’re trying to get it back again.
“The skills are a little bit off, our handball receives and hitting targets has dropped off a little bit.
“We’re still trying to move the ball the way we want to but it’s not quite there at the minute.”
The Blues kicked six goals to two in the first half to put the result in their favour early.
Tested in the first quarter, Trafalgar did what was required to secure the four points, defeating Nyora 20.19(139) to 5.1(31).
Off-season recruits Blake Slater (seven goals) and Kyle Beveridge (five goals) combined for 12 goals and ruckman Dylan Farrell made his case as the league’s best again.
For the Saints, Paul Delaroche kicked three goals and Tyler Kirkbride was best on ground for them.
Yarragon has rebounded from last week’s big loss to defeat Nilma Darnum 17.14(116) to 6.12(48).
Brendan Hermann and Braydon Preuss each kicked four goals for the Panthers, with Devin Pollock amid the best on.
Yarragon’s quarter time score of 4.6(30) was its second highest of the season, holding them in good stead for the remainder of the contest.
The Bombers fell away in the second half but were led staunchly by Lucas Maffei (three goals) and Nathan Campbell.
Next round is highlighted by the standalone Sunday game between long-time rivals Bunyip and Longwarry.
The match will honour Indigenous culture, with the league setting aside a prime-time slot for the two sides.
Catani’s winning ways should continue against Nilma Darnum.
The Blues have only conceded one score above 100 this season, a credit to their defence.
In an early finals-like showdown, Neerim South and Lang Lang will see each other for the first time this season.
Lang Lang is coming off a minor hiccup against Buln Buln, while Neerim South is steamrolling anyone in its path.
All eyes for the third straight week will be on McGarrity, while Will Papley plays his final game before heading overseas for over a month.
Looking to avoid a fifth straight loss, Ellinbank has a difficult task against Yarragon.
Yarragon’s power-player Preuss is in his best goalkicking form for the season and will presumably play directly against Liam Anderson.
In their best form since the season’s start, Buln Buln will face Nyora at home.
The Lyrebirds have had an increased impact from the Axford’s this season, all being prominent contributors in their four victories.
Trafalgar can consolidate their ladder position against Poowong at home.
The Bloods have replaced Curtis Barker well, with Blake Slater filling the shoes nicely as it stands.
ELLINBANK
Results R7: Catani 14.16(100) def Bunyip 8.5(53), Lang Lang 5.9(39) def Buln Buln 6.8(44), Longwarry 11.11(77) def Ellinbank 4.5(29), Neerim South 38.22(250) def Poowong 4.3(27), Yarragon 17.14(116) def Nilma Darnum 6.12(48), Trafalgar 20.19(139) def Nyora 5.1(31).
Ladder: Neerim South 28, Trafalgar 24, Longwarry 24, Lang Lang 20, Buln Buln 16, Yarragon 16, Ellinbank 12, Catani 12, Nyora 8, Nilma Darnum 8, Bunyip 0, Poowong 0.
Fixture R8: Nilma Darnum (10) v Catani (8), Bunyip (11) v Longwarry (3), Neerim South (1) v Lang Lang (4), Buln Buln (5) v Nyora (9), Ellinbank (7) v Yarragon (6), Trafalgar (2) v Poowong (12).
