By Tim O'Connor

WAUBRA was left to count the cost of its big win against Smythesdale on Saturday afternoon.

The Roos barely made a rotation in the second half after a number of their players were forced from the ground.

Onballer Tom Nijam (concussion) and centre half forward Charles Edmonston (ankle) were stretchered off in the first half, while 

winger Will Corbett (knee) and defender Stuart Oliver (hamstring) also left the field.

Tim Boyle kicked eight goals in the Roos’ 131-point drubbing of a Smythesdale side fresh from its first win in five years the 

weekend before.

Roos coach Grant Luscombe rated Lachie Johns, Tom Nash and Boyle the best of his players.

BUNGAREE 22.21 (153) d CLUNES 3.3 (21)

By Tim O'Connor

BUNGAREE had little trouble accounting for an undermanned Clunes outfit to keep its unbeaten start to the year alive.

The Demons kicked seven goals in the opening term and were barely troubled in a 132-point flogging of the Magpies on Saturday.

Recruit Christian Elliott managed eight goals to be the best for the winners, which named Scott Mann and Chris Cowan as other 

standouts.

The hosts had Lachlan Hull as its best.

SPRINGBANK 18.12 (120) d BUNINYONG 12.7 (79)

By Louis Gillett

Buninyong's undefeated start to the season came to an inglorious end as it went down to Springbank by 41 points in the Central 

Highlands Football League Anzac Day round at Wallace on Saturday.

Not without a red-hot go, though.

Springbank jumped away to a 35-point lead in the first quarter.

However, the Bombers fought their way back to be within a goal of the reigning premier going into the third quarter.

Unfortunately for Buninyong, just as it was looming large Kenny Terry was shown a yellow card for a bump on Springbank's Nick 

Couch.

This opened to door again for the Tigers and away they went.

Buninyong coach Jarrod Morgan said while the Bombers were able to reshuffle the backline in the wake of Terry’s departure, the 

Tigers were able to capitalise.

"Going one down definitely hurt us," said Morgan.

"It made it a lot harder to work the ball out of the backline.They had a lot of guys behind the ball which made it harder.

"It became easier from there for them to zone out a few guys which had a big impact."

The GJ Gardner Tigers wasted no time in taking charge in the match –  putting on six goals in the opening quarter.

Forward Bill Driscoll showed why he was so sorely missed in the previous round’s loss to Beaufort by slotting three majors.

Morgan as at the forefront of the Buninyong comeback. He kicked two majors and was well supported by Joel Ottavi, Glenn Phelps and 

Christopher Wills.

The loss of Terry for 15 minutes put pay to the comeback.

Star forward Paul McMahon was in fine form for Springbank, providing plenty of cover further down the ground.

He was also still able provide a target for the hard-running Tigers midfield whenever they ventured forward.

Young gun Matthew Lakey contributed two goals to the cause and barely stopped running all day.

Key defender Tim Malone was on hand to repel all invaders as Buninyong desperately tried to contain the carnage.

The Bombers managed to marginally win the last quarter, but the damage was already done, leaving Morgan's men to consider their 

first loss of the season.

Springbank now faces another major test against Hepburn at Hepburn.

Buninyong returns to its home turf against Newlyn.

HEPBURN 13.14 (92) d DAYLESFORD 11.8 (74)

By John McGregor

HEPBURN took out the Spa Derby, but not until after a serious challenge from Daylesford in the Central Highlands Football League 

in Daylesford on Sunday.

The Burras out-muscled the Bulldogs in the first half to take a 36-point lead - threatening to blow out the match even further.

However, Daylesford was not about to be swept aside on the day its new clubrooms were officially opened.

Robert Rodgers started Daylesford's turnaround with a quick goal in the third term and was backed up quickly by Xavier Walsh and 

Michael Cummings.

The Burras’ Mitch McKay's two goals took the edge off the Bulldogs resurgence, but Daylesford looked pumped and dangerous.

It was a slashed Hepburn 18-point lead that Daylesford took on in the final quarter.

The Burras rose to the occasion with two rapid-fire majors in three minutes from Finn Anscombe and Andy McKay.

A snap goal from Bulldog Cameron Lovig after a Cummings pass looked like the match was heading for a shootout.

Lachlan Calder's major shortly after might have snuffed out the Bulldogs resolve...but it didn't.

Cummings had a head of steam up and barrelled his way around the ground lifting the Daylesford youngsters.

A Cummings goal and a major from Jordan Alexander were not quite enough to head off defeat.

Cummings was man-of-the-match and awarded the Spa Derby Medal.

He was backed up by the likes of Tom Button, Sebastian Walsh and Jordan Alexander.

The best for Hepburn included Ricky Ferraro, Daniel O’Halloran, Tanner Wills and ruckman Michael Watt who was handy everywhere.

Hepburn coach Jason Olver said he knew after half-time the match was in the balance.

"In close games we just have to learn not to panic. I thought early on we were pretty good but we lapsed in the third quarter," 

Olver said.

"Then the pressure was on in the last...it was going to be a dog fight. And that was what it was in the end. We were disappointed 

but we got the four points and that's all that matters."

Daylesford coach Marcus Goonan was disappointed the match got away from his players in the end.

"We were well and truly still in it by half-time," Goonan said.

“We know what footy we can play and we need to produce it for four quarters.

“We did that in the third quarter and we know it works."

ROKEWOOD-CORINDHAP 18.15 (123) d CARNGHAM-LINTON 11.4 (70)

By Tim O'Connor

ROKEWOOD-CORINDHAP coach Mick Hynes has praised his side's discipline in a 53-point win against Carngham-Linton.

The Grasshoppers’ second victory of 2016 moves them into the top eight.

Hines said Zach Priddle, off half back, midfielder Ross Arnall and key forward Caius Barrenger, who kicked six goals, were his 

team's best.

Grasshopper Jordan Gerkovich was concussed, while Saint Josh White hurt a wrist.

BEAUFORT 15.13 (103) d NEWLYN 7.10 (52)

By Tim O'Connor

BEAUFORT is one of four unbeaten teams in the Central Highlands Football League.

The Crows backed up their brilliant victory over reigning premiers Springbank with a 51-point win at Newlyn on Saturday afternoon.

Beaufort coach Dale Power said Howard brothers Scott and Brendan were the best of his charges, but believed the Cats’ Nathan 

Skewes will collect the three Geoff Taylor Medal votes for his efforts off half back in a losing side.

DUNNSTOWN 29.12 (186) d SKIPTON 8.3 (51)

By Tim O'Connor

DUNNSTOWN key forward Peter McGettigan returned his best goal haul since pulling on the black and white jumper in a big triumph 

against Skipton on Saturday.

McGettigan, recruited to the club for the 2015 season, kicked 12 majors as the Towners crushed the hosts by 135 points.

The result lifts Dunnstown to sixth on the ladder and leaves Skipton - humbled by Smythesdale the weekend before - as one of three 

winless sides.

GORDON 14.16 (100) d BALLAN 8.7 (55)

By David Bilbrough

GORDON lifted the Mahar-Murphy Shield for a third time with a 45-point win over neighboring rival Ballan at home in the Central 

Highlands Football League on Saturday.

The Eagles’ cohesive defence was the difference in the game.

Best-on-ground Adam Toohey led a miserly back six which held the Blues to just one lonely goal after half- time.

Ballan moved the ball forward with speed and precision at times, only to be met by a brick wall in the shape of Toohey, Brad 

Hallam, Mark Gunnell and Ash Munari, whose vision and poise in a tight first half proved crucial.

The arch-rivals were locked together at the big break, but this quickly change on resumption.

Eagles goal-sneak Mick Nolan burst off the leash with two goals in as many minutes to to inspire his team to a five-goals to none 

third term to rip the game away from the Blues.

Nolan finished with five, while Chris McGuigan hit top form with three majors for the winner.

The Ballan hierarchy will be left to lament a quiet second half after going toe-to-toe with the 2015 grand finalist in the first 

half.

A long bomb from playing coach Justin McConnell opened the scoring for the visitors and when Zac Peoples sharked the pack in the 

goal square, the Blues held a narrow lead at the first change.

With Joel Mullane pumping the ball inside the forward 50m and key forward Aaron Speak on song, Ballan looked dangerous.

The Blues will be looking to get back into winning form at home to Clunes next round. Comfortable on two wins,Gordon will look to 

remain on the winners’ list at Rokewood.

LEARMONTH 11.14 (80) d CRESWICK 5.7 (37)

By Scot Nicholson

LEARMONTH clinched its first win of the Central Highlands Football League season under lights on at Learmonth on Saturday night.

The Lakies outplayed Creswick in the early stages of the encounter to set-up the 43-point victory.

An opening term melee set the intensity for the evening and a matter of minutes later Creswick’s Christopher McLean was reported

for having made head high contact.

Learmonth capitalised on the numbers advantage to boot seven goals and take a 32-point lead to half-time.

The Wickers stayed in touch but ultimately had no answer.

Ryan Barnes displayed a great work rate and exercised control in the ruck.