DUNNSTOWN secured its second win of the season and all but consigned Illabarook the wooden spoon with a 37-point victory at a frigid Smythesdale Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
The Towners opened up a five-goal lead at quarter time that was never seriously threatened.
This was thanks largely to two goals apiece from Alex Lyon and Aaron Brennan, who controlled the air space over the forward 50m.
The elusive Brennan slipped his opponent with relative ease to get on the end of the clinical foot skills of the likes of Matt Auchettl and best on ground Matt Pitt.
Yet another Matt (Turner) and Brett Coutts combined well in defence to keep the Bulldogs to just one lonely behind in the first term.
Pitt extended the lead to six goals three minutes after the first change, and it looked like the Towners would build some much-needed percentage.
Two quick goals, however, from Bulldog forward James Boag, and another from Brandon Greenwood, gave the hosts a glimmer of hope mid-way through the second term, reducing the margin to just three goals.
Two more majors from Lyon and two from live wire Auchettl quelled the uprising, and propelled Dunnstown to a 45-point lead at the long break.
In a second half of few highlights, Illabarook outscored the Towners, holding them goalless in the third term, indicating a steely resolve among the group.
Jacob Cahill proved a strong focal point for the Dogs as Stephen Frys and Jayden Molloy started to gain the midfield ascendancy, while Tim Clifton never gave up all day.
This weekend, the Dogs will need all of their resolve, and more, against Hepburn, while Dunnstown could climb another rung on the ladder if it can overcome an improving Ballan.
Dunnstown 12.7 (79)
Illabarook 6.6 (42)
