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Buchan FCWeekly Times | DYLAN Bolton nearly did not play football on Saturday.

The 26-year-old suffered a groin injury the previous round and was given until 11am to declare himself fit.

He met the deadline then booted 25 goals for the Cavemen during their 47.32 (314) to 4.0 (24) demolition of Swan Reach in the Omeo and District league. It rocketed Bolton to the top of the country football goalkicker standings.

Bolton and Ash Saunders, of Tungamah in the Picola and District league, became the first players to kick 100 goals this season. Bolton needed 22 goals to reach the milestone going into Saturday’s match, and admitted he did not expect it to happen in the next four weeks, let alone four quarters.

“I had 12 at half-time and the coach said to me, ‘Do you want to come off?’ because I was pretty sore,” he said.

“I had 19 at the end of the third quarter and I think that’s the stage I thought I could kick the 22, which sounds ridiculous.”

Bolton reached the milestone in 10 games, one fewer than Saunders, who hit the 100-goal mark kicking 11.9 against Katandra — and also appears to have got there about 20 minutes earlier than Saunders.

A photo taken by a Buchan supporter of Bolton celebrating his 100th was time-stamped 4.22pm, while a video taken by the Bears’ club treasurer of Saunders’ celebrations was stamped 4.43pm.

Bolton was recruited to Buchan after a year off football to recover from persistent back, groin and hip issues and to focus on cricket. He has played several seasons of cricket in England and is Boisdale-Briagolong Cricket Club’s captain.

Bolton took 10 wickets representing the Sale-Maffra Cricket Association in its successful Melbourne Country Week provincial campaign earlier this year, and described that as “the biggest win I’ve had as part of a senior cricket or football side”.

Buchan was eliminated from last year’s Omeo and District league grand final for fielding an ineligible player in the preliminary final. The Cavemen are undefeated and two games clear at the top of the ladder.

“Everyone wanted to make amends this year,” Bolton said. “I hope we play in a grand final and I hope we win.”

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