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A powerful eight-goal second term helped Gordon cruise to a big 64-point win over Dunnstown on Saturday.
The Towners led the clash by 13 points at the first change before the visitors took control and allowed the hosts just two more majors for the rest of the match.
Adam Toohey returned from injury and kicked five goals, while Luke Gunnell was a real presence and was named the Eagles' leading player.
While Gordon is now fifth on the ladder, Dunnstown is still winless after seven rounds.
"The second quarter was terrible after an excellent first quarter," Towners coach Justin Abrams said.
"(We were) too young and couldn't respond when Gordon clicked into gear."
Abrams said Riley Adams, Harry McKimmie, Jack Sutherland and Jackson Brown were all very good for the Towners.
DUNNSTOWN v. GORDON
Gordon 1.3, 9.10, 13.12, 14.16 (100)
Dunnstown 3.4, 3.4, 5.6, 5.6 (36)
GOALS, Gordon: Adam Toohey 5, Ethan Crackel 2, Jordan Clampit 2, Gerard Clifford 1, Isaac McCabe 1, Matthew Hoy 1, Luke Gunnell 1, Benjamin Frazer 1
Dunnstown: Timothy Collins 2, Harry McKimmie 2, Jack Leonard 1
BEST, Gordon: Luke Gunnell, Jordan Clampit, Zackery Ryan, Isaac McCabe, Scott Nippress, Adam Toohey
Dunnstown: Riley Adams, Jack Sutherland, Jackson Brown, Harry McKimmie, Brayden Leonard, Joel Williams
Three quarters of football was enough for Buninyong to put away an undermanned Beaufort outfit on Saturday.
The Bombers led the Central Highlands Football League 2018 grand final rematch at every break and had a 40-point edge with a quarter to go.
But with poor light and persistent rain, the last term was a fizzle in the drizzle with Buninyong kicking just two behinds. On the flip side, a desperate Beaufort took advantage of the situation to win the term with two goals and narrowed Buninyong's victory to 27 points.
With the win, the Bombers extinguished a little of the pain of last year's defeat at the hands of the Crows.
Saturday's line-up was not a full strength Buninyong side either, but the team showed a lot of passion to get the result.
In his 100th senior game for the Bombers, Jack Robertson was unbowed in defence and clearly the best on ground. Harli Givvens, Caius Barrenger, Alex Bomitali, Lachlan Baker and Tim Brayshaw were fierce and courageous. But a die-hard Bomber worth mentioning was Mark Phelps, who set the ball rolling with two goals in the first term and then patrolled down back.
Beaufort had a core of players who threw their hearts into the fray. Dean Kelly moved into the backline as the Bombers pushed hard to break open the game. Second-gamer Daniel Morris was also solid in defence, Crows skipper Michael Foster led the way for others like Alex Petrie, Joseph Mason and ruckman Josh McDermott.
Despite the win, Bombers coach Shaun O'Loughlin was critical of the display from his charges.
"This is about as poorly as we have played all year," O'Loughlin told The Courier.
"To get away with a win at Beaufort is a bit of a bonus. We certainly didn't play very well today. But we've got a lot of improvement in us yet."
Crows coach Rohan Brown heaped praise on the determination of his players.
"Proud of them all. The whole 22. A very brave effort," he said and then addressed the frustration with the Crows' long injury list.
"I don't see it as a problem but as a challenge. We're working our way through it. It is what it is."
Unfortunately the Crows' injury list grew by one more after Ben Hayes injured his ankle in the last quarter on Saturday.
The result lifted the Bombers back into the Central Highlands Football League top eight ahead of next weekend's blockbuster showdown with Hepburn.
The Crows are on the same points as the Bombers but two spots higher on the ladder in sixth.
And things won't be easy for the reigning premiers next Saturday with a trip to Gordon on the cards.
After round eight matches, the competition takes a break once again for the Queen's birthday long weekend.
BEAUFORT v. BUNINYONG
Buninyong 4.1, 5.2, 8.3, 8.5 (53)
Beaufort 0.2, 1.5, 1.5, 3.8 (26)
GOALS, Buninyong: Mark Phelps 2, Ned Gilbert 1, Jake Dunne 1, Isaac Baker 1, Alex Bomitali 1, Harli Givvens 1, Derick Micallef 1
Beaufort: Jayden Orr 1, Brendan Howard 1, Lachlan Murray 1
BEST, Buninyong: Jack Robertson, Harli Givvens, Caius Barrenger, Alex Bomitali, Lachlan Baker, Timothy Brayshaw
Beaufort: Dean Kelly, Daniel Morris, Michael Foster, Alexander Petrie, Joseph Mason, Josh McDermott
Adam Sewell led the way on Saturday as Newlyn fought back from a huge deficit in the second term to stun Hepburn.
Sewell was moved into the centre for the second half and helped the visitors secure a memorable come-from-behind two-point win.
Newlyn trailed by about seven goals during the second quarter and still 25 points at the final change, but booted four goals to zip in the last term.
"He was unreal - he changed the game when he went in the middle," Cats joint-coach Dan Wehrung said of Sewell.
The result spoiled the party for the Burras' Alan Ware, who was celebrating his 300th club match.
Gun forward Marcus Darmody was again in top form, booting six goals in the success.
Star Hepburn recruit Tommy Horne returned from a broken nose and sported a protective mask during the match. He was among the Burras' best alongside Jack Fowler and Andy McKay.
HEPBURN v. NEWLYN
Newlyn 1.3, 3.6, 6.8, 10.11 (71)
Hepburn 5.3, 9.6, 10.9, 10.9 (69)
GOALS, Newlyn: Marcus Darmody 6, Liam Gill 1, Daniel Wehrung 1, Adam Sewell 1, Luke Prendergast 1
Hepburn: Samuel Dunstan 4, Izaac Grant 3, Jackson Hogan 2, Zachary Hansford 1
BEST, Newlyn: Adam Sewell, Myles Sewell, Boe Bish, Daniel Wehrung, Scott Carey, Luke Bull
Hepburn: Jack Fowler, Andrew McKay, Tommy Horne, Bradley McKay, Daniel O'Halloran, Alan Ware
Springbank recruit Tim Horan returned from a calf injury to boot four goals in a 28-point success against Rokewood-Corindhap.
Horan played deep forward for the Tigers, which led virtually from start to finish to inflict the Grasshoppers' fourth-straight defeat.
Joel Maher was named Springbank's best for his display through the midfield.
The Grasshoppers' defeat was made worse by injuries to Callan Anderson (hamstring) and Brayden Ferguson (ankle).
ROKEWOOD-CORINDHAP v. SPRINGBANK
Springbank 4.2, 6.6, 9.7, 10.8 (68)
Rokewood-Corindhap 2.0, 5.2, 6.3, 6.4 (40)
GOALS, Springbank: Timothy Horan 4, James Thompson 2, Todd Finco 1, Magbul Abraham 1, Joel Maher 1, Jacob White 1
Rokewood-Corindhap: Samuel Chapman 2, Fallon Wanganeen 1, Ben Reese 1, Douglas Arthur 1, Luke Philp 1
BEST, Springbank: Joel Maher, Shannon Donegan, Justin Simpson, Nathan Strugnell, Timothy Horan, Sean McKenzie
Rokewood-Corindhap: Jackson O'Neil, Jake Dowell, Ben Reese, Samuel Chapman, Tyler Mookhoek, Zach Priddle
Creswick got off to a flying start against Bungaree and it proved the difference in a 16-point win.
The Wickers kicked five goals to one in the opening term and were never headed on their way to an important result.
Creswick coach Ryan Knowles said the result was the club's first senior success against the Demons in 16 years.
He said Clint Robinson was a standout in defence and praised the performances of Patrick Taranto, Jack Marshman, Ethan Tibbles and Liam Blake.
When asked who shone for his side, Bungaree coach Heath Pyke responded with a simple "not many".
He eventually gave Alex Browning a little pat on the back for his display in the defeat.
CRESWICK v. BUNGAREE
Creswick 5.2, 5.5, 8.9, 12.11 (83)
Bungaree 1.0, 4.3, 5.5, 10.7 (67)
GOALS, Creswick: Rhys Antonio 3, Liam Blake 2, Samuel Gibson 1, Matt Miller 1, Patrick Taranto 1, Ethan Tibbles 1
Bungaree: Jake Trevenen 3, Alex Browning 2, Jack Walter 1, Noah Browning 1, Lachlan Chivers 1, Oscar Pryor 1, Shaun Finlayson 1
BEST, Creswick: Clinton Robinson, Patrick Taranto, Jack Marshman, Ethan Tibbles, Aaron Sedgwick, Liam Blake
Bungaree: Alex Browning, Jackson Murphy, Jake Trevenen, Andrew Milroy
Mitch Bruns had his best game for new club Skipton in the team's big success at Ballan.
Bruns booted six goals in a 54-point triumph away from home.
That leaves the Skipton boys seventh on the table in their bid to become the first former Lexton Plains club to reach a CHFL senior finals series.
Ben Krol and Xavier Lourey also played well for the Emus.
For Ballan, coach Tristan Batten reported that Ash Mullane hurt his knee and Brodie Richie suffered concussion during the match.
The Blues' best player was Trent Laurie.
BALLAN v. SKIPTON
Skipton 3.3, 7.6, 10.7, 17.8 (110)
Ballan 1.3, 4.4, 6.8, 8.8 (56)
GOALS, Skipton: Mitchell Bruns 6, James Cusack 3, Jack Peeters 3, Curtis Townrow 2, Stephen Boswell 1, Adam Romey 1, Bailey Thompson 1
Ballan: Patrick Graham 3, Dylan Trickey 2, Jaye Johnstone 1, Darren Tanti 1, Banjo Leahy 1
BEST, Skipton: Mitchell Bruns, Ben Krol, Xavier Lourey, Lachie Johns, Jack Peeters, Bailey Thompson
Ballan: Trent Laurie, Matthew Rollo, Benjamim Bould, Lachlan Conlan, Darren Tanti, Ryan Bongart
Waubra coach Matt James gave his side a huge quarter time spray and it helped as the Roos kicked clear of Clunes through the next three terms to win by 81 points.
That leaves the side two games clear at the top of the league ladder.
James Lukich kicked four goals in the victory, while Lincoln Barnes played his best game of the season according to James. He was judged the leading player on the ground.
Clunes lost Fenner brothers Tom (hamstring) and Jack (concussion) in the opening term and struggled to match it with the Roos after the first change.
Onballer Brody Lawford was the home side's best.
CLUNES v. WAUBRA
Waubra 2.2, 8.7, 11.12, 16.16 (112)
Clunes 0.2, 2.3, 4.5, 4.7 (31)
GOALS, Waubra: James Lukich 4, Caleb McGrath 3, William Booth 2, Andrew Wettenhall 2, Austin Murphy 2, Thomas Nash 1, Dean Robertson 1, Dylan Hinchliffe 1
Clunes: Brody Lawford 1, Nic Clarke 1, Khyal Thompson 1, Brad Dolan 1
BEST, Waubra: Lincoln Barnes, Darcy Jenkins, Glen Coleman, Caleb McGrath, James Lukich, Ben Wilson
Clunes: Matthew Wrigley, Brody Lawford, Jordan Thomas, Luke Saligari, Khyal Thompson, Matt Newton
The Lakies warmed up for their battle with top side Waubra with a comfortable win against the Saints.
Learmonth forward Anthony Zelencich kicked six goals to be one of the best for the winners, while onballers Ollie Ross and Brenton Powell also shone in the success.
For the Saints, Curtly Scott did well in his call-up to senior footy and James Nichols was among the better contributors.
LEARMONTH v. CARNGHAM-LINTON
Learmonth 5.7, 6.10, 11.17, 14.19 (103)
Carngham-Linton 1.2, 4.6, 6.6, 8.9 (57)
GOALS, Learmonth: Anthony Zelencich 6, Brenton Powell 3, Oliver Ross 2, Aaron Wilson 2, Hamish McKee 1
Carngham-Linton: Ross Waters 3, James Nichols 2, Dean O'Brien 2, Jackson Cranny 1
BEST, Learmonth: Oliver Ross, Anthony Zelencich, Brenton Powell, James Pratt, Hamish McKee, Jye Rich
Carngham-Linton: Bradley Dunbar, Ross Waters, Curtly Scott, Jake Pring, James Nichols