Lyrebirds fly to flag

Buln Buln held off Ellinbank in a competitive under 18 Ellinbank District grand final.
After conceding the opening two goals in ominous signs, the Lyrebirds steadied to eventually hold out the Eagles 7-11 (53) to 5-2 (32).
Consecutive goals put the Lyrebirds just in front before Thomas Wells converted another deep entry for the only goal of the second term.
The tight tussle opened in the second half as Evan Eastwell put through a snap on the run to increase the margin to 16-points.
Ellinbank responded with a nice goal from the boundary, only for Cruze Ross to restore the margin from a strong mark.
Link up play deep in the forward line saw Lachlan Budd into the open goal for Buln Buln.
Ellinbank responded with a goal from the centre clearance to bring the margin back to 17-points and anyone's game at the final change.
Best on ground medallist Charles Kilmartin, Riley Eastwell, Lenny White, Ryan Jagoe, Wells and Lindau had helped the Lyrebirds to their buffer.
Ensuring Ellinbank would continue to challenge were Archer Thorne, Riley Butters, Ashley Debenham, Josh Tylee, Ben Bingham and Spencer Patterson.
While Preston Alger would later sneak in a set shot, a goal and backflip celebration at the mid-point of the term had the Lyrebirds on the way to the premiership.