By Peter Wilkie

 

The Bulldogs continue to see off all challengers, remaining undefeated after 11 games into the 2007 Bendigo Bank Central Highlands Football season.

 

Daylesford continue to lead the way, a game clear on top, followed by Waubra with only one loss (to Daylesford), and Hepburn, two losses (Daylesford and Waubra).

 

Hepburn’s improving form continued at the weekend with a thumping of Creswick to follow a similar big win the week before.

 

4th placed Dunnstown and Learmonth (5th) both grabbed valuable wins, while Ballan moved to within a game of the Five.

 

Buninyong and Springbank still have a mathematical possibility of making the finals, Buninyong the more likely on current form.

 

On the goal kicking table things have tightened up, and we now have the battle of the Lee’s, with Hepburn’s Lee Cox booting another big bag of 11 to loom up behind Waubra’s Lee Brown.

 

Leading Goalkickers.

(After Round 11)

Lee Brown (Waubra) 62 (5 this week)

Lee Cox (Hepburn) 59 (11)

Bryce Nicholson (Bungaree) 48 (3)

Andrew Tranquilli (Springbank) 45 (5)

Andy McKay (Hepburn) 41 (3)

 

 

Results Round 11

 

Buninyong 14.13 def Beaufort 4.7

Hepburn 19.13 def Creswick 3.7

Waubra 18.16 def Clunes 8.2

Daylesford 14.5 def Bungaree 5.5

Learmonth 6.7 def Newlyn 3.3

Ballan 10.11 def Springbank 8.7

Dunnstown 11.15 def Gordon 4.3

 

 

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BUNINYONG youngster Chris Mann continued to have tongues wagging as he booted another 5 goals to help the Porter Industries Bombers to a 66 point win over BEAUFORT.

 

In the last two games Mann has provided Buninyong with another avenue to goal, and the hard nosed Bombers are playing with renewed confidence.

 

Beaufort’s horror season continues, however, with prime mover Mick Foster injuring an ankle, and next week facing reigning Premier Waubra.

 

 

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HEPBURN continues to look ominous, and on Saturday gave the developing CRESWICK side an indication what is needed to be competitive with the top level of the League.

 

With Cox on fire in front of goal, and Brendan Sheppard continuing his fine form running out of half back, the Kookaburras kept Creswick goalless for the first half, before going on to kick the sweep for the second week running.

 

 

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WAUBRA bounced back after losing to Daylesford the week before, and CLUNES may have been unlucky to be the team in the firing line this week.

 

The Kangaroos were never in any real danger as they sprinted away to record a convincing return to form, winning by 74 points.

 

Tim Mullane and Stuart Oliver were among Waubra’s best, while the Magpies were well served by James Sewell and Jason Marnell.

 

 

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DAYLESFORD accounted for danger side BUNGAREE (see Match Report)

 

 

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LEARMONTH had a five goal half time lead, and then failed to score another major as they held off the dogged NEWLYN in atrocious conditions at Learmonth.

 

The Ballarat City Honda and Mazda Lakies hold 5th by a game from Bungaree and the improving Ballan, but will have to improve next week to worry the unbeaten Daylesford.

 

With both sides below having winnable games its possible that next week we will see 3 teams all locked together on 28 points. Learmonth still hold a considerable margin on percentage should that occur, but the race for 5th is on in earnest.

 

 

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BALLAN fought back after being jumped early by SPRINGBANK, turning on a 5 goal third quarter to hold sway at home.

 

This was a hard fought victory for the Blues, who may just be coming into top form at the right time.

 

Cooper, Leon and Watts were all among the goals for Ballan, while Tranquilli continues to be a beacon at Springbank, this week notching up another 5 goals.

 

 

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DUNNSTOWN have been the quiet achievers so far this season, and on Saturday they moved a game clear of 5th with another solid win, this time over GORDON.

 

Jaye Cahir and Simon Marra were instrumental as Dunnstown got on top early, and Joel Murphy put the finishing touch on up field efforts by kicking 6.

 

The Towners go into a huge clash with Hepburn next week bubbling along nicely, and the team was addressed by Club President Mark Leonard after Saturday’s game, with a message of job well done, so far, but the real tests are still to come.