Bruthen maintained its unbeaten Omeo District Football Netball League season with an easy 65-point victory over Buchan at Buchan Recreation Reserve in round 14 action last Saturday.
With both sides locked into finals positions — Bruthen bound for the qualifying final and Buchan set for the elimination final — the match never reached great heights, though it delivered several individual highlights.
Chief among them was the goal of the day from player of the match Harley Kenner in the opening term, the first of his three for the afternoon. Gathering the ball on the half-back line, Kenner took four bounces before finishing in classy fashion from 45 meters out.
Another notable highlight was the officiating of debutant umpire Jack Brick, who filled the officials role with aplomb.
The Bulldogs registered 12 scoring shots to five in the opening term, leaving the quarter-time margin at 22 points.
Buchan refused to yield and enjoyed solid patches, including a four-goal second quarter. However, they were still outscored by the premiership favourites, who stretched their lead to 34 points by the main break.
Both sides struggled for fluency in the second half as the tempo slowed. The Bulldogs kicked six goals to two across the final two terms to secure another comfortable win.
Jirra Moffat continued his rich vein of form, kicking six goals to take his season tally to 35 from 10 matches.
Bruthen also found goals from unexpected sources, including hard-running veteran half-back Ray Giddings (three) and hardman Johnny Williams (two), while co-coach Jan Cabaybay chipped in with a pair.
John Gooch and Campbell Read kicked two goals apiece for the Cavemen while spending significant periods working through the midfield.
Best players for the Bulldogs were led by Kenner, Dylan Somerville, Moffat, Rhys Kennedy, Nat Griffiths and Richard Harrison.
Connor McCormack was outstanding in the ruck for Buchan, well supported by the classy Gooch, Campbell Read, Tim Weller and Adam Forth.
In this week’s final round of the home-and-away season, the Bulldogs return home to face Lindenow South, where they will be heavily favoured to complete an undefeated regular season.
Buchan will enjoy the weekend off with a bye before hosting Omeo Benambra in an elimination final next Saturday.
