A Jason Wells seven-goal haul has guided Longwarry to a statement victory over reigning premier Buln Buln.
Wells kicking more goals than an entire opposition outfit is not a new phenomenon, but doing it in a game of such magnitude underlined the sort of form he’s in, having now kicked 115 majors for the season.
After an uninspired first term for both sides, Wells kicked three in the second term which gave Longwarry an important buffer.
One of his second-half goals came via a mark when he was splayed across the turf, symbolic of everything going right for him when it went forward.
On a blustery day which at times affected skill level, Wells’ finishing polish was the difference as the two teams traded momentum.
Another important contributor was Bailey Stephens, who was involved in three of Longwarry’s first four goals of the game.
The 89-gamer is one of several whose form lift this season has propelled the Crows into premiership contention, with Saturday’s outing proving he can compete against the competition’s best.
“It was on the back of repeat efforts and as the game goes on, backing his beliefs and abilities as a hard runner who’s strong over the ball, so he played really well,” coach Darren Granger said of Stephens.
Longwarry led by just 12 points at three-quarter-time and were forced to absorb plenty of Buln Buln territory in the last quarter, but their intensity helped the hosts win the quarter 3.3 to 1.3.
It was a pleasing turnaround from the first bout of the season between the two sides, when Buln Buln overturned a 30 point second half margin in a stirring upset.
“The conditions were tough and it was just about who was going to apply themselves better with the conditions today,” Granger said.
“Discipline probably hurt us last time and on the back of hard work for four quarters and staying in the contest, we were able to get up.
“I think it was going to come down to who stuck with their players across that backline and really stood up strong behind the ball and to our credit, the boys were really disciplined with that.
“It was probably about trying to stay on the inside, get them over the ball and then if we get it to the outside take the metres.”
Elsewhere, Lang Lang’s grip on a finals spot has been loosened following a 10.16 76 to 8.6 54 loss against Ellinbank.
The injury-hit Tigers now sit just one game clear of the sixth placed Bankers, with Saturday’s result following a shock loss to Poowong.
Missing as many as 17 first choice players in that game, Lang Lang is starting to regain needed soldiers ahead of a three week span against finals-bound sides.
At Neerim South, the Cats continued their undefeated season, with seven Mason McGarrity goals edging him up to 92 for the season.
The hosts defeated Yarragon 14.11 95 to 4.7 31 with coach Kody Wilson and youngster Ayden Ramm among the shining lights.
Nyora was too good for Bunyip, winning 9.10 64 to 6.11 47, Trafalgar took care of Catani 19.12 126 to 2.1 13 and Nilma Darnum beat Poowong 13.11 89 to 7.9 51.
Ladder: Neerim South 56, Longwarry 48, Trafalgar 40, Buln 40, Lang Lang 32, Ellinbank 28, Yarragon 24, Nilma Darnum 20, Catani 16, Nyora 16, Bunyip 8, Poowong 8
Fixture: Buln Buln v Lang Lang, Ellinbank v Longwarry, Poowong v Neerim-Neerim South, Nilma Darnum v Yarragon, Nyora v Trafalgar, Bunyip v Catani.
