Football returned to Benambra last weekend, with Omeo Benmabra celebrating an impressive 33-point win over Buchan in round seven of the Omeo and District Football Netball League.
The Alpine Ranges quickly bounced back from last week’s one-point defeat by Swifts Creek in the local derby.
Omeo got off to a flying start having 10 shots at goal in the opening term, kicking four goals, while the Cavemen failed to register a score, finding it hard to get it deep into their forward 50.
Given a strong rev up by coach Chris Mathers at the first break and kicking to the end favoured by the breeze, the Cavemen lifted in the second term with five goals to four to make it a contest.
A miracle goal by Mathers after the siren narrowed the lead to 23 points at the half time break.
The second half became an arm wrestle, the free flowing and consistent scoring replaced by a game dominated by defences and riddled with errors.
The Ranges kicked three goals to two in the final 50 minutes, never really challenged, running out easy winners without impressing.
Former Queenslander Hudson Collins kicked three goals in a best afield performance, while former coach Cody Graske also continued his impressive season in front of goal, also kicking three.
Aidan Hayward and Travis Balmer were both dangerous across half forward, kicking two each while Mathers and Justin Hunt slotted two each for the Cavemen.
Other good players for the hosts were defender Tyler Betts, rover William Cook, Balmer, Sam Heffernan and Jordan Robertson, who was back in Alpine Ranges colours for the second time this season, sharing his time between the High Country and East Gippsland club Stratford. He is a premiership player at both clubs.
Among the best for Buchan were Jack Brick, Hunt, ruckman Michael Stevenson, Luke Howes, Jacob Kenyon and Cohen Manning.
After a week’s break for the King’s Birthday holiday weekend, Buchan faces a tough assignment when it host Bruthen, while Omeo Benambra ventures from the mountains to resume hostilities with Swan Reach, a game that made news for all the wrong reasons earlier in the season.
