NYORA reinforced its top position on the ladder after downing Nar Nar Goon by 57 points on Saturday.

In spite of the scoreline, the Goon’s performance was full of merit as it held its own for three of the four quarters.

Four second-quarter goals by Saint forward Chris Langley, in a six-goal-to-one term largely proved the difference between the sides.

Rory Gilliatte, the 2006 league best-and-fairest, was at his damaging best around the packs and underlined his fine game with three third-term goals and four for the match.

Rugged utility Fiatupu Too Too regularly rebounded the ball out of defence, high-leaping Matt Hendry returned to form with a good game in the ruck and Andrew Collis was steady in the last line of defence.

For the Goon, young dynamo Matthew Wade was in everything, coach Clint Williams oozed class and chimed in with five goals, Ben Scanlon at full-forward and when he had a run on the ball made a big impact and Scott Haughton did well to nullify Saint sharpshooter Nathan Osler.

Veteran Al Petrov made his presence felt around the packs and tall Pat Delosa won praise from coaching staff for following team instructions to a tee in the second half.

Nar Nar Goon’s improvement this season is best measured by the fact that its effort was 148 points better than the 205 point loss it suffered at the hands of Nyora last time the sides met.

Bankers add interest

ELLINBANK staged an exciting come-from-behind two-point victory over Kooweerup.

A goal by Matthew Robertson with less than two minutes to go snatched the Bankers an unlikely victory.

The visitors had earlier trailed by five goals and were still three down with ten minutes to play and seemingly gone.

Youngster Tom Johnson, with six goals including three in the last quarter, played an instrumental role to turn the game around and had a good foil in Robertson who booted home five majors.

Wingman Toby Wallace was key driver all game, veteran Robert Ballingall delivered the ball with precision, Andrew Quirk sparked the Eagles when moved into the ruck in the final term and likewise Simon Dawson when shifted into the middle in the last term.

Ben Miller, in both the ruck and across centre half-forward, put in a tremendous performance for the Demons, Josh Winter and Wes Wright offered plenty of midfield drive and John Alexander gave a good account of himself when moved forward.

Matt Van Damme was handy in the ruck and 15-year-old Shaun Marusic, on debut, emerged as a player to watch.

Donaldson destroys Dusties

AN awesome 17-goal haul by Longwarry marksman Ryan Donaldson helped the Crows to a massive 195-point victory of Warragul Industrials.

The Dusties had no answer to Donaldson who was unstoppable.

He kicked eight goals before quarter time and now has 99 for the season and would have surely cracked the ton if he did not leave the field for a rest early in the last term.

Longwarry set the mood of the game early when it scored seven goals before the Dusties had scored.

Athletic utility Jason Voumard gave his smalls and armchair ride with some good tap work, Tye Holland with six goals, including five in the last quarter and Paul Williams, five goals, proved far too elusive and Grant McDonald played a big hand in creating many goals.

Chris Mizzi and Tim Milner were both busy in and around the midfield in a superb team effort.

Warragul’s best player was tall centre half-back Ben Hobgen and he had good assistance from half-back flanker Nick Visser.

Ruck-rovers Jason Kennedy and Nathan Vanderplight won plenty of the ball and giant forward Ian Ingham, in his first game for the season, popped through four majors.

Cats get the Blues

CATANI secured an authoritative 64 point victory over Neerim Neerim South.

The Blues had too many midfield options led by the improved Antonio Benvenuto, Aaron Alger, Josh Tymensen and Jason Evans.

Owen Fitzpatrick notched seven goals and key defender Nathan Ruskin played one of his better games for the season making many valuable interceptions.

The Cats came out after half-time and had a big crack, scoring eight third-term goals to save face, but could not repeat their efforts in the last quarter.

Classy utility Chris Urie was a key component of the Cats’ midfield and was offered good support by half-backs Gabe Marsden and Michael Urie.

Matt Young and Keane Bannister teamed well in the ruck.

Ablett burns for Bunyip

BUNYIP spanked Nilma-Darnum by 129 points.

Ryan Ablett steered through 10 goals, but spoilt his game with some wayward kicking that yielded another eight behinds.

Joe Allen and Clint Meyer dazzled across the forward line and never-say-die pair of Robbie Hughes and Josh Taylor were in the thick of the action all day.

Leigh Carmody and Steve Berryman, two big improvers this season, earned their keep and carried out their defensive roles with some tight marking that won praise from club insiders.

It was an all-too-familiar scenario - Nilma-Darnum fell away badly after the main interval.

Justin Oppenlander was outstanding through the middle and received good support from Shane Youngman, Adrian Partridge and Jamie Cann.

Lachlan Fletcher played well at both ends of the ground and Kael Bergles (three goals) showed plenty of class. Cobras strike back

CORA Lynn got back on the winners’ podium after it thrashed Buln Buln by 91 points.

Prize Narre Warren recruit Darren Sheen put on an aerial exhibition and was far too accomplished for the Lyrebird defence, notching 13 goals.

Luke Hughes, with 51 possessions, and Ben Collins, 43 possessions, both ran themselves ragged, Wayne Robertson and Dan O’Hara capped off the good work up field with four goals apiece and Mark Symons, up from the thirds, made a handy debut.

For Buln Buln, midfielders Richard Tee Paa, Paul Hasan, Shane Peters, Matt Nooy and Che Jenkins all won regular touches and talented forward Brad Taylor returned to form, slotting through four majors.