by Davyd Reid
BULN BULN redeemed its one-point loss in last year's Ellinbank District grand final, taking control of the 2023 decider against the same opponent Neerim-Neerim South in the second half.
Unperturbed by any mention of a possible breeze advantage for the Cats in the final term, the Lyrebirds kicked away to cap a strong season and win 9-11 (65) to 5-5 (35).
Speaking prior to the game at the president's lunch, Buln Buln coach Bob McCallum said while they had lost some key forwards in the second year of their build, they had added some speed which also assisted with their structure.

This speed would eventually trouble Neerim-Neerim South as the Lyrebir