by Davyd Reid
Buln Buln maintained its unbeaten status but not without a scare as Ellinbank threatened to pull off another narrow victory similar to what it achieved in the corresponding fixture 12 months ago.
Similar to that contest that saw the Lyrebirds denied by a late goal to Gaige White, Ellinbank defender Rylan Smith drifted forward to assist and was rewarded for his tackle, given the opportunity to line up for the four points from 30 metres out.
However, Smith got too close to the man on the mark to have his shot denied by a leaping Thomas Axford.
Game over with Buln Buln holding on 4-8 (32) to 4-4 (28).
Bryce Joyce helped Ellinbank to its bright start, soon becoming the muddiest player on the ground as he set up Anthony Battista with a short kick.
Battista would finish with three of his team's four goals and along with Ryan Atherton, relish the conditions.
A clean possession from Riley Rundell found Mitch Nobelius as the Lyrebirds took a narrow lead.
A class finish from Rundell put Buln Buln futher ahead, only for Atherton to close the margin from a free kick late in the first term.
Half the goals of the contest came in the first quarter as persistent rain made it difficult to score.
Battista collected from the pocket to snap a brilliant goal to begin the second term and was back in the action later in the term converting from a short pass to give the Eagles a nine-point lead at the long break.
The Lyrebirds were further up against it when it emerged that Cam McPhan would return to the bench in a tracksuit, having been yellow carded for high contact to an opponent after the half time siren.
Still Buln Buln were able to hold on, not conceding a goal before McPhan was able to return to the field.
Buln's coach Bob McCallum converted from a free kick to close the margin to one-point at the final change, setting the stage a final quarter scrap in the deteriorating conditions.
Connor Wilkins, Ryan Carpenter and Ryan Parsons were leading the way as Ellinbank looked to hold on while Trent Baker, Matthew Gray and Lachlan Axford continued to mount the challenge for Buln Buln.
The Lyrebirds switched Shaun Beecroft forward and sent Patrick Ireland back as they looked for the next major to put them back in front.
Trent Baker kicked true from the boundary to give Buln Buln the lead before they could only watch on as the ball finished with Smith on the final siren.
Heartbreak for the Eagles became relief for the Lyrebirds as Smith kicked into the man on the mark.