Wednesday, 8 May 2024
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Premiership battle narrows to four
2 min read

Will Buln Buln book their place in the Ellinbank and District senior football grand final on Saturday?
Or can the Eagles shock the premiership favourites with an upset?
Can Trafalgar bounce back after a loss to keep their title chances alive?
Or will the dangerous Neerim-Neerim South bundle out their opponents in straight sets and cause concern to those remaining?
All will be decided when the Ellinbank and District finals are played at Trafalgar Recreation Reserve on Saturday and Dowton Park in Yarragon on Sunday.
Saturday's games will see Buln Buln, who finished top of the ladder, play Ellinbank who are fresh off a strong 43-point win over Trafalgar.
The Lyrebirds definitely enter this game as firm favourites, having dropped just one game this season.
That loss was at the hands of the Eagles by one point in round 13. But, having been played in quagmire conditions at Ellinbank with a 4.1-25 to 3.6-24 scoreline, it is questionable how much can be taken from that match.
Their other meeting was a one-sided affair, the Lyrebirds winning by 64 points. But, occurring way back in round two, both teams have developed greatly since this time.
Having finished runner-up last year, the Lyrebirds have been building for this moment. Whilst two weeks off isn't ideal preparation, they will come out fired up and ready to book their grand final place.
For the Eagles, injuries have hit hard, but experience has returned on the eve of finals. Having not lifted a senior premiership cup since 1995, they won't want to let this opportunity slide.
Sunday's game is set to be a battle, with neither Trafalgar or Neerim-Neerim South holding firm favouritism.
The last time these sides met at Neerim South in round 18, the two captains set the scene and scores were close throughout.
Cats captain Kody Wilson was vital with four goals in the contest. His counterpart Dylan Farrell of the Bloods was best afield and helped his team pull away in the last quarter for a 14-point win.
Their earlier meeting in round seven at Trafalgar saw the Cats win by 30 points.
Based on form, Trafalgar should just get the nod from most neutral spectators. However, Neerim-Neerim South are the reigning premiers and coming off a 69-point elimination of Poowong. Nobody would be surprised to see them enter a preliminary final.
This weekend's football finals schedule is:
Saturday at Trafalgar Recreation Reserve
Seniors: Buln Buln v Ellinbank at 2.10pm.
Reserves: Neerim-Neerim South v Buln Buln at 12.15pm.
Under 18s: Neerim-Neerim South v Buln Buln at 10.25am.
Under 16s: Neerim-Neerim South v Ellinbank at 8.45am.
Sunday at Dowton Park, Yarragon
Seniors: Trafalgar v Neerim-Neerim South at 2:10pm.
Reserves: Ellinbank v Lang Lang at 12.15pm.
Thirds: Ellinbank v Longwarry at 10.25am.
Fourths: Trafalgar v Lang Lang at 8.45am.