Border Mail | TALLANGATTA consolidated its position on top of the ladder with a convincing 44-point victory over Thurgoona at Tallangatta on Saturday.
After jumping out of the blocks to lead by five points at quarter-time, the Bulldogs found themselves outclassed by the dominant Hoppers.
James Breen and Luke Bloom directed traffic up forward and booted four goals each, while Kyle Lieschke and Isaac Bunge were important through the middle.
Darcy Carroll earned coach Zac Fulford’s praise for his job on dangerous Bulldog forward Matt Fowler, limiting the big man to just three goals for the afternoon, while Brendan Dess was able to quell the influence of Thurgoona gun Sam Cross.
Fulford said the ability of the Tallangatta midfield to rest forward and remain dangerous was key to the win.
Ben Heinrich kicked three goals, while Luke Fraser and Paul McCallum booted two each.
Barnawartha’s Jack Price competes hard against Beechworth’s Hamish Malsem.
“In a physical game like that, it’s really pleasing our mids can go forward for a rest and still be dangerous,” Fulford said.
“Once we got hold of the momentum in the second quarter I thought we did quite well not to give it back, they came hard at us at times.
“We’ve been running out the second half really well this season, so motoring away from them like we did was good, we rotated well for the duration of the game.”
Thurgoona went into the clash without a host of key players, including Aydan and Kade Brown and Todd Miller, but should regain several this weekend, while Lucas Mellier has completed his suspension.
Wahgunyah scored an impressive victory over the visiting Chiltern, kicking five goals to none in the third quarter to set up an important 34-point win.
The Lions are now poised to make a run for fifth spot, sitting alongside Chiltern and Thurgoona with four wins apiece.
A seven-goal effort from Nick Fraser helped power Mitta United to a 90-point victory over Yackandandah.
Dederang-Mt Beauty registered their first win of the season with a 96-point thrashing of Wodonga Saints.
Darren Bradshaw booted eight for the Bombers, who had six multiple goalkickers for the day.
Kiewa-Sandy Creek kicked nine goals to three in the second half to dispatch Rutherglen, with Guy Telford booting six in a best-on-ground display.
The Hawks remain unbeaten for the season, with their only blemish a draw with Thurgoona, and trail Tallangatta by just two points.
