OVENS AND KING 3.9 (27)

It took until the second quarter for the Highlanders to stamp their dominance on the contest, but they surged away in the final three terms to record a 109-point thumping, winning 20.16 (136) to 3.9 (27).

The significant margin was, in fact, a true reflection of the difference between the two sides Central Highlands was hungry, disciplined and well-drilled, while the Ovens and King boys lacked any real potency and offered little resistance when the game appeared out of reach.

The hosts led by just eight points at the first change, but such was their dominance, you sensed the margin was only going to grow after the break. And it did.

The floodgates opened in the second term as the Highlanders stretched the deficit to 33 points and then to 61 points at the last change.

Ovens and King was never in the contest and failed to put up a fight in the last quarter as seven unanswered majors saw the final margin surpass 100 points.

For his impressive display through the midfield, Buninyong's Jarrod Morgan collected the medal as the Highlanders' best on ground, but he was far from the only standout for the victors. Carngham-Linton livewire Nathan Pring was just as damaging across half-forward, kicking four goals and having a hand in a number of others in a classy display.

There was a plethora of contributors for the winner, with regular Daylesford full-back James Evans relishing his move forward with four majors, Waubra recruit Dean Kelly (three goals) busy all afternoon and Gordon's Mark Gunnell, Waubra coach Jason Allen and Beaufort defender Damian Day great down back.

Captain Adam Sewell, from Newlyn, again led his team from the front, doing plenty of grunt work around the ground, Gordon's Ash Munari (one goal) was clever off a wing and Daylesford young gun Seb Walsh (two goals) was creative up forward.

Central Highlands coach Shane Skontra said the final margin was a "big surprise."

"The guys played really well as a team right from the start," Skontra said.

"We were pretty happy with our intensity at the start and we were able to carry it on.

"In the second half we really got the game on our terms.

"Most of the stuff we tried to implement went just about exactly to plan, and I think that's just really a credit to the players.

"All plans are good in theory, but unless you get the players to carry them out you are left with nothing."

Ovens and King, which lost by four points to Picola and District in its country championships debut last year, will be bitterly disappointed with an interleague performance that netted just three goals.

There was little fight from the visitors, who were led by medal-winner Mark Anderson.

Playing coach Finton Eames said the Highlanders were simply too good on the day.

"We tried but obviously we were up against it against these guys," Eames said after the match.

"All I asked was for effort for the four quarters and I think I got that."

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