Border Mail |
PERENNIAL powerhouse Osborne look assured to contest its 21st finals series from the past 23 years after it overcame Jindera by 40 points at Jindera on Saturday.
The Cats signalled their intentions early to race to a 44-point half-time lead and were never seriously challenged as they cruised to a 12.16 (88) to 7.6 (48) victory.
Inaccurate kicking robbed the Cats of an even bigger win with premiership coach Daniel McAlister the chief offender, booting a woeful 1.6.
The defending premier has now reeled off eight consecutive victories to be firmly entrenched inside the top six with an 8-3 record.
Jindera fell down badly across half-forward with tall marking target Brett Garland well held by Cats defender Max Baldissera.
The Bulldogs only managed one solitary goal in the opening half and were restricted to their lowest scoreline this season.
The Cats swung a selection surprise and rushed Des Kennedy medallist Djali Bloomfield into the line-up after he signed a clearance from Canberra club, Queanbeyan.
Bloomfield was best on ground in the Cats’ 2009 flag as a 17-year-old and returns to his junior club he last played at in 2010.
The speedster will further bolster the Cats’s midfield rotations and will make the weekly trek from Canberra with teammates Malcolm Douglas and Brendan Dess.
In a further boost, the Cats have also signed Brett Limbrick from Farrer league club, Northern Jets.
McAlister was happy to overcome the challenge of a top-six side.
“We have been building a bit of momentum against sides outside the top-six so to beat a top-six side was pleasing,” McAlister said.
“The thing that was most pleasing was we stuck to our game plan and are a step closer to securing a finals berth.
“We have been able to string together eight consecutive wins, which is great for our self-belief and morale around the club.
“But we are definitely not getting ahead of ourselves because Henty is yet to drop a game, Brock-Burrum spanked us by 14 goals and Howlong also stitched us up.
“We have to play them again over the next month and will get a lot clearer insight into how we measure up against the contenders.
“Getting Djali on board at this time of year is a huge bonus and will add further depth to our midfield rotations.”
The Cats were missing tall marking targets Darcy Judd and Luke Adams from their strongest line-up with both expected to be fit to play against fierce rival Lockhart on Saturday.
In other matches, CDHBU scored its first win over Culcairn since joining the competition in 2008.
Sam Burdon proved to be a surprise packet in attack for the Power with a six-goal haul with spearhead Doug Lavis equally impressive also with six goals.
Brock-Burrum forward Kylin Morey booted seven goals as the Saints crushed Lockhart by 83-points.
Wodonga Raiders recruit Josh McCudden was best on ground for the Saints with Dean Murphy also damaging, dragging down several contested marks.
