By Scot Nicholson

IT CAME down to the final seconds, but Ballan displayed resiliency to capture a thrilling three-point win over Learmonth on Saturday.

Matthew Bond converted a late goal deep in stoppage time to narrow the margin and give the Lakies hope.

One final minute of frantic play ensued as Ballan clamped down in defence and was eventually saved by the full time siren to secure the 7.11 (53) to 8.2 (50) victory.

Ballan coach Justin McConnell, who booted five goals during the match, said his team was very fortunate to have the result go its way.

“We were lucky in the end to escape with the four points.” McConnell said.

“We were inaccurate early, but it was really an arm wrestle between two really competitive sides and I’m happy with the win.

“It’s just such a fine line between winning and losing in a game like this.”

The Blues managed to lead at every break thanks to the leadership of star signing Jason McNamara and his skillful midfield partner Lachlan Herring, while the efforts of captain Jake Wilkinson in the backline were crucial to securing the triumph.

A contender for goal of the year came from Lachlan Snaith in the final term. He simultaneously took a heavy bump in the forward pocket while in the act of kicking to see the ball swing between the goal posts.

Learmonth coach Brenton Powell said the slender defeat was disappointing for his squad to endure.

“I thought we had the majority of the play, but we failed to put it on the scoreboard at times,” Powell said.

“Ballan defended really well and we couldn’t capitalise with our ball use.”

Bond and Brodrick Campbell were the leading scorers for the losing side with three goals each.

The Lakies were well served by the defensive duo of Todd Curran and Will Simpson, who embraced every opportunity to compete with their opponents.

Ballan sits ninth as a result of the success, just percentage behind Dunnstown, which has jumped inside the top eight.

Meanwhile, Learmonth tops a group of four teams on just one win in 12th spot on the table.

Next weekend, the Lakies will look to sing the song for the first time since round three against bottom side Clunes, while Ballan returns to home soil for an encounter with Daylesford.

Hepburn 13.14 (92) d Newlyn 7.5 (47)

By Tim O'Connor

HEPBURN coach Jason Olver has lamented his team’s skill level after a hard-fought win over Newlyn.

The Burras were challenged by the undermanned Cats in the first half, but eventually prevailed in a spiteful encounter by 45 points.

“Our skill level was ordinary. There is no way known we are going to beat a top side at that skill level. We were very suspect under pressure today (so there’s) a lot to work on,” Olver said.

Lee Cox kicked four goals for the Burras, which were led by defender Segifili Asa Leausa. The experienced heads of Newlyn coach Kal Young, Adrian Chew and Nathan Skewes were important for the hosts.

Springbank 23.14 (152) d Creswick 6.6 (42)

By Tim O'Connor

SPRINGBANK was untroubled in a crushing victory over Creswick at Wallace.

A third-straight win was never in doubt for the Tigers, which led comfortably at quarter time and kicked away in every term to record a 110-point success.

Paul McMahon tuned up for the round six blockbuster against Bungaree with a bag of six goals, while Jesse Galea was the side’s best player according to Springbank joint-coach Nick Couch.

Couch said Brandon Rix was the only player to pick up an injury after rolling his ankle during the third term.

Half forward Bryce Antonio and ruckman Sam Ayre were among the best for Creswick, as was Aaron Hepworth, who kicked two majors in the team’s fourth defeat of 2016.

Buninyong 17.16 (118) d  Skipton 6.7 (43)

By Tim O'Connor

BUNINYONG blasted Skipton with an eight-goal second term on its way to a 75-point triumph on Saturday.

The Bombers were unable to shrug off the gallant home side for much of the match, but did the damage by half time.

Winning joint-coach Jarrod Morgan, who sat out the clash with a calf issue, praised Glen Phelps (three goals), Sam Turner (two goals) and Jake Dunne (five goals) for their efforts.

Bombers ruckman Anthony Ebery left the field early with concerns his hamstring injury was not fully healed.

Skipton’s best included key defenders Curtis Townrow and Adam Romey and midfielder Mitch Jones.

Gordon  28.21 (189) d Clunes 5.7 (37)

By Tim O'Connor

DANGEROUS forward Mick Nolan shot to the top of the league goal-kicking chart as Gordon ran riot against Clunes.

Nolan booted six goals on Saturday to take his season tally to 26, one clear of Bungaree’s Christian Elliott and Ballan’s Justin McConnell.

Tye Murphy kicked seven majors in the Eagles’ 152-point demolition job on home soil against a Magpies outfit that was well served by Mark Paramonov, Lachlan Wrigley and Pat Milne.

Rokewood-Corindhap 9.15 (69) d Smythesdale 8.11 (59)

By Tim O'Connor

SMYTHESDALE just fell short of landing the former Lexton Plains league treble, going down by 10 points to Rokewood-Corindhap.

The Bulldogs had beaten Skipton and Carngham-Linton earlier this season, but couldn’t topple the Grasshoppers at Rokewood.

Ross Arnall was again good in the midfield for the winners, while Jackson O’Neil and Jonty Wall earned praise from coach Mick Hynes.

Ruckman Rylan Rattley was named Smythesdale’s best.

Dunnstown  28.24 (192) d Carngham Linton 4.6 (30)

By Tim O'Connor

DUNNSTOWN moved into the top eight after a devastating display against Carngham-Linton.

The Towners had 11 goal-kickers in the 162-point thrashing on Saturday, with Rhys Cahir booting seven majors and Aaron Sawers six.

Dunnstown, which was led by Sam Jenkins, tops a group of three teams on 12 points.

Josh Benfield kicked two goals for the hosts, while Sam Cosgriff was named its standout player.

Waubra 12.14 (86) d Beaufort  7.7 (49)

By Louis Gillett

WAUBRA has become the only side to beat Beaufort in 2016, winning its match-up with the Crows by 37 points on Saturday.

With the clash in the balance at three quarter time, the Roos made the most of a strong wind and kicked seven goals to secure their fifth win of the season.

Tim Boyle was the undoubted star of the show for the hosts, booting six goals in the victory.

Roos coach Grant Luscombe said the result was a testament to his side’s depth, considering the Roos weren’t at full strength.

“We’ve had a few injured players which makes life difficult, but we’ve found some really good talent in their absence,” he said.

“The guys who have come up to the seniors have really stepped up.

“It’s good when you’re missing players but you still beat top sides.”

Kicking with the wind in the first quarter, the Crows looked the better side and managed a three-goal lead by the first break.

Lachlan Murray was instrumental in the first-term display, scoring the opening major after a matter of seconds while providing plenty of run up and down the ground.

The Crows stretched their lead to as much as four goals in the second quarter before the Roos kicked into gear.

Boyle, Tom Nijam and Ash Ballinger got on the scoreboard to reduce the lead to three points at the main break.

Knowing the Crows would again be with the wind in the third quarter, defence became the order of the day for Waubra. Luscombe’s side executed almost perfectly, with the three-point Beaufort lead sustained until the final break.

Gerard Roney, Steven Tung and Matt Dawson starred as the Roos scrapped their way out of trouble.

With the wind in their sails during the final term, the Roos put on an attacking clinic to leave the Crows in their wake.

Boyle nailed three goals to round off his impressive tally, while Nijam, Ballinger, Paul Dodds and Austin Murphy got in on the scoring action.

Waubra remains at the top of the ladder following the win, while Beaufort has slipped to fourth following the defeat.

Bungaree 24.9 (153) d Daylesford 11.11 (77)

By John McGregor

CLASS prevailed at Daylesford on Saturday with Bungaree trampling a gallant Bulldogs outfit.

It was a 76-point victory delivered in the last term thanks to a seven-goal blitz.

The triumph was led by playmaker Shaun Finlayson and sharpshooter Christian Elliott, who spearheaded the Bungaree attack with five majors each.

They were backed up by Jackson Murphy’s four goals, while coach Heath Pyke and Marty Dufty booted three each.

Finlayson was the driving force all day and was easily the best on ground.

It was a cruel blow when shortly before the end of the game Finlayson was flattened in a ruck duel. Trainers helped him from the ground and later it was revealed he was concussed.

Henri Griffiths and Luke Mangan stood out in an outstanding Bungaree performance.

Daylesford started strongly, but gave ground to the Demons little by little and was unable to claw the deficit back. A 25-point lead to the Demons in the first term grew to 29 points by half time and a 39-point buffer going into the last quarter.

Daylesford goals dried up in the final term and players started to wilt.

Sam Winnard showed courage against Bungaree ruckman David Benson, but was sidelined with an ankle injury by half time.

Livewires Seb Walsh and Jordan Alexander were the only multiple scorers for the Bulldogs, kicking two each.

Ken Cummings, Mick Cummings and Rob Rodgers were courageous and focused.

“Daylesford came back at us in the third quarter, but then after that we kicked away. We finished off the game pretty strongly. That was very pleasing,” Pyke said.

The only jarring note was Finlayson’s concussion.

“It was great to see him back in form at the right part of the season. We’ll monitor him during the week,” he said.

Daylesford coach Marcus Goonan had a rotten day at the office.

“Pretty disappointed with our last quarter. I thought it was very poor,” Goonan said.