By Peter Wilkie
DAYLESFORD & WAUBRA HEADING FOR BIG CLASH
After 8 rounds of the 2007 Bendigo Bank Central Highlands FL season, Daylesford & Waubra remain unbeaten, but all that will change in two weeks.
After Daylesford answered any queries about their hold on the top spot with a comprehensive defeat of 3rd placed Hepburn, and Waubra clobbered danger side Ballan, the stage is set for a huge clash when the two sides meet at Daylesford in round 10.
The traffic jam for the remaining spots in the Final Five also intensified, with four teams only one game behind 5th, and only 8 points behind for tenth placed Buninyong, who lost in a thriller, going down by 1 point to Newlyn.
The Bulldogs and Kangaroos are now 2 games clear on top, Hepburn remain a game clear in 3rd, while Dunnstown moved up to 5th behind Learmonth, the Ballarat City Honda & Mazda Lakies returning to form with a win over Springbank.
Lee Brown booted 5 to go past the half century (53) and remain well clear on the goal kicking table, while Dunnstown’s Joel Murphy kicked the round’s best return of 8 in his side’s 108 point win over Beaufort.
ROUND 8 RESULTS
Newlyn 9.10 (64) def Buninyong 9.9 (63)
Daylesford 16.6 (102) def Hepburn 7.18 (60)
Clunes 10.19 (79) def Creswick 10.9 (69)
Dunnstown 22.10 (142) def Beaufort 5.4 (34)
Waubra 19.13 (127) def Ballan 5.6 (36)
Bungaree 16.14 def Gordon 7.8 (50)
Learmonth 17.6 (108) def Springbank 10.2 (62)
NEWLYN clawed its way back to win a thriller with BUNINYONG, the Cats coming from behind to snatch a 1 point win in the dying minutes.
After the Bombers had lost forward Adam Scott to a knee injury and Jarrod Morgan to the North Ballarat Roosters, the assignment at the Cattery was always going to be difficult.
Buninyong’s recent good form saw them carry a lead into the last quarter, but with the home crowd willing them on, the Cats lifted and when Ben Ackland booted a goal on the run with just moments to the final siren, Newlyn hit the lead and grabbed the win.
Daniel Clarke booted 4 for the Cats, who now take on Waubra to get a true measure of just how far this year’s improvement may take them.
DAYLESFORD won the latest instalment of what is becoming one of the biggest events in Victorian country footy, to take a 3 to 1 lead in the Spa Country Derby with HEPBURN.
Long term Daylesford supporters are reporting some of the biggest crowds in years at Bulldog games, proving the move from the Ballarat League a growing success for the club.
Another huge turn out at last Saturday’s match even has some League Officials speculating on the possibility of having to find venues able to cope with bigger crowds if the trend continues for big crowds at certain CHFL games.
Unfortunately there was no repeat of previous thrillers between these two powerhouse clubs in the CHFL, the Bulldogs erasing any doubts that their lofty ladder position was illusory.
Even without leading goal scorer David Thompson and with other leading players under some injury cloud, Daylesford got on top early and ran out comprehensive winners by 62 points in a performance that dripped with class.
Hepburn Coach Shane Robertson later lamented a poor performance from his side.
“They dictated play and we chased butt all day,” said Robertson post match, also paying tribute to the Bulldogs commitment, saying Daylesford had “wanted the ball more than we did.”
CLUNES notched up a hard fought win over CRESWICK, grabbing the Magpies second victory by 10 points at home.
Bob Hind starred for the ‘Pies as they overcame Creswick in a classic arm wrestle, the home side producing a big 3rd quarter effort that, although not reaping full reward on the scoreboard, had the Magpies’ beaks in front at the last change.
Todd and James Featherstone were among Clunes’ major contributors, while Mick Griffen and Paul Hofman played well for the ‘Wickers.
DUNNSTOWN moved into 5th place on the back of a thumping win over BEAUFORT, who was disappointing after some solid recent efforts.
The ‘Towners hit the ground running, booting 7 goals to zip in the opening quarter, as the trio of Nathan, Rhys and Jaye turned the game into a Cahir wreck for the Crows, slamming on 8 goals between them.
Dunnstown are starting to find form and will prove formidable opponents for most teams as the season wears on.
Coach Simon Eason was enthusiastic after the win.
“You don’t get too many days like today,” he said, “We’re really starting to gel as a team, and improving week by week.”
WAUBRA beat BALLAN in a ferocious contest on the tight Ballan ground.
After withstanding an early physical onslaught, the Kangaroos stamped their class on the contest to break away after half time to run out substantial, if well earned victors. (See full Match Report also on this page)
BUNGAREE are another team firmly in the bottleneck for 5th position, and the Demons cleaned up GORDON to continue their rise up the ladder to currently lie in 6th.
Bryce Nicholson booted 6 as Bungaree had to shake off some early lethargy before then shaking off the determined Eagles in the second half, mainly through an inspired third term that saw the Demons ahead by 6 goals at ¾ time.
Gordon continue to be well served by Sam Godfrey-Roberts and Neil Toohey, but just need some more consistent performers to get a bit closer to that elusive first win.
LEARMONTH would have been keen to bounce back after a loss to Dunnstown before the bye, and the win over previously 5th placed SPRINGBANK was exactly what the Lakies doctor had ordered.
In a heated contest punctuated by 3 Springbank reports and a number of “sin – binnings”, Learmonth got their fluent running game going through the likes of Tim Sinclair, star Chris McGuigan and Wade Veldhuis to win with authority by 46 points.
Pleasingly for Learmonth was a long list of goal scorers, to complement a solid defensive effort.
Springbank will want to regroup to confront the emerging Dunnstown at the ‘Towners foot of the hill home next week.
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