Border Mail |
HUME premiership contender Brock-Burrum sent a ominous warning to the rest of the Hume league by steamrolling fifth-placed Howlong by 80 points at Burrumbuttock on Saturday.
The Saints flexed their muscles in the opening quarter, kicking four goals to none and stretched their lead at every change to record a 17.21 (123) to 6.7 (43) victory.
RELATED: Culcairn finds way to avoid spoon
It was Brock-Burrum’s 10th consecutive victory and ensures the Saints remain in the hunt for their first minor premiership since merging in 2007.
The Saints sit second with a 11-1 record and clash with the undefeated Henty in three weeks, which is likely to decide the minor premier and flag favourite.
Azzi medallist Trent Storey had an enthralling battle with Spider big man Peter Hancock in the ruck, with Storey just shading his opposite number to claim best on ground honours.
Wodonga Raiders recruit Josh McCudden also showed plenty of dash across half-back and was the springboard for many Saints’ attacking moves.
The Saints were also superbly served by defender Marshall Lacey, who was able to shutdown Spider danger man Jess Dale and restrict him to one goal and one of his lowest tallies this season.
Howlong coach Karl Jacka labelled the Saints as “the best side we have played this year”.
“In saying that, we played Henty, Holbrook and Osborne in the opening rounds when everyone is still finding their feet,” Jacka said.
“But there is absolutely no doubts the Saints are the best-drilled side we have come up against and seem to have the greatest depth.
“They are going to take some beating.
“They have got some good defenders, a cracking midfield and some really good avenues to goal.
“They are definitely the benchmark.
“We now know the level we have to get to if we want to be considered a legitimate challenger.”
The Saints went into the clash missing ball magnet Luke Schilg and young gun Darcy I’Anson, who were both unavailable.
Versatile big man Dean Murphy limped off late in the first quarter with a leg injury.
Murphy should be available for the Saints’ crunch game against Osborne in two weeks with the Saints enjoying the bye this weekend.
In other matches, CDHBU moved back inside the top-six for the first time since round 8 after its impressive 35-point victory against Rand-Walbundrie.
Both sides were playing to keep their slim finals hopes alive with Power livewire Jeremy Stevenson the major difference.
Stevenson bobbed up with seven goals in easily his most devastating display since crossing from Barooga at the start of the season.
The Power remain in the hunt for its first finals berth since joining the league in 2008 with a 6-6 record.
CDHBU is locked in a fierce battle with Jindera for the final spot up for grabs inside the top-six.
The clash of these two clubs in round 18 is likely to decide who will play finals.
Jindera proved no match for Henty.
The powerful Swampies racked up their 12th consecutive win by 42 points.
