The Central Highlands Football League regular season is complete and the finals match-ups are set ahead of next weekend.
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Gordon will take on Dunnstown in a qualifying final and Hepburn will face Rokewood-Corindhap in another, the Grasshoppers beginning their first CHFL finals campaign since joining the league.
Buninyong will take on Skipton in a elimination final after beating the Emus today by 28 points.
Waubra will take on Springbank in another, the two sides having not played each other since round 13, 2019.
Gordon ends the season undefeated
Gordon enters the finals minor premiers and undefeated through the regular season, following its impressive 80-point win over reigning premier Waubra.
A fourth quarter onslaught pushed the margin out, Gordon winning 19.17 (131) to 7.9 (51).
It wasn't all one way, however, an undermanned Waubra side kicking the opening two goals of the game and dominating field position.
Gordon started to get its game flowing in the second-half of the term, kicking four goals to zero and heading into the first break 13 points the better.
Despite trailing by three or four goals for most of the middle two quarters, Waubra remained in the hunt and never let the lead become unmanageable.
A four-goal differential was all that separated the teams midway through the third term, before Gordon put the foot down and piled on some late goals which carried it into a dominant fourth quarter.
The Eagles kicked six goals to zero for the quarter to finish the season undefeated.
The defensive side of Gordon's game was just as impressive as the potent goalkicking attack it possesses, a positive sign heading into finals.
The defensive group led by James Kelly, Gerard Clifford, Mark Gunnell etc. make it hard for teams to score.
Both sides were missing Melbourne based players, something sides may have to monitor this week with finals approaching.
Gordon co-coach Adam Toohey was happy with his side's ability to bounce back after a slow start.
With a finals spot already locked in and key players such as Geordie Lukich and Lincoln Barnes missing, Waubra coach Matt James wasn't too disheartened post-game.
Gordon 4.3, 8.8, 13.14, 19.17 (131)
Waubra 2.2, 3.5, 7.8, 7.9 (51)
GOALS, Gordon: A. Munari 6, A. Toohey 4, T. Murphy 3, J. Clampit, M. Nolan, Z. Ryan, B. Frazer, J. Gorman, L. Gunnell
Waubra: M. Miller 2, H. Baldwinson, B. Colligan, W. Green
BEST, Gordon: Z. Ryan, A. Munari, C. Ascough, M. Hoy, M. Griffiths, T. Murphy
Waubra: J. Kinna, T. Nash, J. King, B. Colligan, M. Miller
Buninyong stamp authority
A spirited fightback has given Buninyong momentum into what it hopes will be a long finals series, the hosts correcting a first-half deficit to defeat Skipton, 11.10 (76) to 6.12 (48).
Midfielder Jack Robertson was at his influential best for the Bombers, while Lochlan Stewart, Luke Cullen and Tyrone Ross all kicked two goals apiece.
It was Skipton who would have the early control, winning the midfield battle and deploying its speed down the wings.
The Emus enjoyed a seven-point lead at quarter-time, with Tim Huglin (two goals) making the most of the space he found in attack.
Buningyong kept the visitors honest, cutting the deficit back to three at half-time, before storming away with four unanswered goals to start the third term.
From there it was procedural for both sides. Buningyong held on and got some miles in the legs, while Skipton eased back into the swing of things in the hope a long finals series awaits it.
Buninyong 1.1, 3.3, 8.6, 11.10 (76)
Skipton 2.2, 3.6, 4.9, 6.12 (48)
GOALS, Buninyong: L. Stewart 2, L. Cullen 2, T. Ross 2, P. Lannen, L. Atkinson, A. Bomitali, A. Ebery, J. Rodgers
Skipton: T. Huglin 2, A. Pitson, H. Wills, N. Olver, J. Peeters
BEST, Buninyong: J. Robertson, A. Ebery, T. Ross, J. Atkinson, D. Kelly, G. Lovett
Skipton: M. Gilbert, T. Huglin, M. Romeril, E. Boyer, J. Draffin , H. Wills
Dunnstown secure double-chance
After missing the finals in 2019, Dunnstown has responded and locked away a double-chance following a dominant 120-point win over Carngham-Linton.
An 11-goal to one second-half proved Dunnstown's attacking prowess, running away 25.15 (165) to 7.3 (45) winners.
Scott Howson and Matthew Bulluss may have formed a dangerous forward duo, bagging six and five goals respectively.
It continues a stellar run of form for Bulluss, who has kicked 16 goals in the last five games.
Carngham-Linton followed up its competitive performance against Buninyong with a strong first-half display, kicking three goals in each term.
The Saints couldn't slow down Dunnstown's scoring, however, the Towners nearing the 100-point mark by half-time.
The win sets Dunnstown up for a qualifying final match-up with ladder-leaders Gordon, a side it hasn't faced this season due to lockdowns.
Dunnstown 7.3, 14.5, 18.13, 25.15 (165)
Carngham-Linton 3.1, 6.2, 6.2, 7.3 (45)
GOALS, Dunnstown: S. Howson 6, M. Bulluss 5, M. Henderson 3, C. Ronan 3, T. Parsons 3, J. Leonard 2, J. Renga, L. Pigott, J. Stefani
Carngham-Linton: J. Foley 2, M. Giddings, J. Pring, C. Whelan, J. O''Brien, L. Isbister
BEST, Dunnstown: J. Leonard, K. Forde, S. Howson, T. Parsons, F. Stevenson, M. Bulluss
Carngham-Linton: K. Raven, L. Isbister, W. Bruty, J. Radlof, M. Grigsby, C. Whelan
Bungaree finish season strongly
Bungaree and Newlyn battled out the closest game of the round, the Demons holding on to win by two points.
Bungaree led at every change but couldn't seem to shake Newlyn who continued to stay close but couldn't quite get over the hump, the Demons 7.9 (51) to 7.7 (49) winners.
The match-up was a coincidental one as the two sides were impacted by the recent lockdown.
Both needed two wins and results to fall their way to sneak into finals, but with round 16 abandoned due to lockdown, that opportunity was lost.
Both sides wanted to finish the year strongly, however, considering the tough run both have had with injury and form.
Bungaree's victory was its fifth in a row, a great sign going into 2022 where it will aim for a better start to the season to lessen the pressure in the second-half of the season.
Newlyn will be praying for its stars to return fit and healthy in 2022, the likes of Marcus Darmody and Myles and Adam Sewell big outs for majority of the season.
Newlyn 1.0, 2.4, 6.5, 7.7 (49)
Bungaree 3.4, 5.4, 7.6, 7.9 (51)
GOALS, Newlyn: S. Carey 2, T. Carey, D. Wehrung, M. Tilley, D. Fishwick, F. Hay
Bungaree: J. Butler 3, L. Prendergast 2, J. Walter, J. Murphy
BEST, Newlyn: D. Fishwick, D. Wehrung, B. Wynd, F. Lowe, J. Fryar, L. Gill
Bungaree: L. Prendergast, J. Werts, A. Gillett, D. Murphy, M. Lawless, B. Veale
Hepburn celebrate Ware with a win
Hepburn did what it needed to do against Learmonth and celebrated club stalwart Alan Ware's record-breaking 320th game for the club.
The Burra once again impressed at both ends of the ground, running away winners 22.19 (151) to 3.4 (22).
Sam Dunstan continued his superb goalkicking form with nine majors, taking his season tally to 82, especially impressive considering he only played 11 games.
The loss ends Learmonth's season which despite sitting low on the ladder, was a competitive one that could have seen it with more wins to its name if some close losses had of fallen its way.
With good, young players coming through, the future looks bright for Lakies coach Nick Willox.
Hepburn has set itself up for a qualifying final against Rokewood-Corindhap, two sides capable of kicking big scores but with strong defences too.
Hepburn 5.4, 12.9, 16.13, 22.19 (151)
Learmonth 1.0, 3.1, 3.4, 3.4 (22)
GOALS, Hepburn: S. Dunstan 9, A. McKay 4, B. Yanner 2, J. Clarke, T. Brown, S. Smith, N. Johns, H. Rodgers, A. Ware, K. Yanner
Learmonth: J. Walters 2, J. Neal
BEST, Hepburn: A. McKay, S. Smith, D. O''Halloran, S. Dunstan, J. Grant, R. Shortis
Learmonth: J. Rich, L. Ozols, J. Crilly, O. Ross, J. Rae, J. Laidlaw
Rokewood-Corindhap top four bound
Rokewood-Corindhap is finals bound for the first time since joining the CHFL and with it comes a double-chance.
The Grasshoppers secured their fate in convincing fashion, 22.17 (149) to 1.8 (14) winners over Clunes.
Jake Carr enjoyed his best game for the season, kicking seven goals.
The loss ends Clunes coach Johno Leoncini's tenure at the club after his announcement that he is stepping down.
He led Clunes to its best start to a season this year since 2005 and the Magpies remained in the hunt for the top eight up until round 16 when lockdown was announced.
Rokewood-Corindhap now sets itself for a qualifying final against reigning grand finalist Hepburn, a battle of the most successful club in CHFL history against the up-and-comers.
Rokewood-Corindhap 4.4, 12.8, 17.11, 22.17 (149)
Clunes 0.2, 1.3, 1.6, 1.8 (14)
GOALS, Rokewood-Corindhap: J. Carr 7, M. McLaughlin 5, C. Richardson 3, A. Gray 3, L. Philp, S. Carr, M. Brehaut, E. den Ouden
Clunes: N. Luka
BEST, Rokewood-Corindhap: M. Aikman, S. Carr, L. Withers, J. Carr, E. den Ouden, C. Richardson
Clunes: L. Wrigley, J. Thompson , M. Paramonov, A. Riches, D. Coon, M. Wrigley
Daylesford claim long awaited win
A rampant final-quarter was the perfect end to the season for Daylesford after it weathered all Beaufort threw at it to savour a 7.9 (51) to 4.5 (29) victory.
Neither side could be separated in the first quarter, until the Bulldogs slowly started to draw away.
A four-point lead at half-time grew into a 10-point advantage come three-quarter time, with all the visitors' attacking threats standing up.
Scott Hughes (three goals) was the only multiple goalkicker for Daylesford.
With neither the Crows or the Bulldogs finals bound, a tense battle was a fitting way to draw the curtains on a season like no other.
Beaufort 3.1, 4.1, 4.3, 4.5 (29)
Daylesford 3.1, 4.5, 5.7, 7.9 (51)
GOALS, Beaufort: B. Howard 2, A. George, M. Jenkins
Daylesford: S. Hughes 3, A. Pasahidis, J. Alexander, S. Winduss, T. Nesbitt
BEST, Beaufort: Z. Leckie, M. Jenkins, A. Coleman, A. Davies, J. Orr, L. Ward
Daylesford: T. Nesbitt, J. Pitts, T. Hunt, H. Jarrad, J. Alexander, R. Coleiro
Creswick finish season on a high
Creswick ensured it went into the off-season with fond memories, dominating against Ballan to notch a 9.16 (70) to 2.3 (15) win.
A 1.5 (11) to 1.0 (6) opening term threatened for a dour affair on football's return, until Liam Blake entered the fray.
The Saints' forward kicked four goals in a best-on-ground performance and proved the difference on a day where there was little going for his opponents.
Ballan's defence stood strong, restricting the hosts to just five points in the third quarter, but the damage was already done.
Creswick 1.5, 7.7, 7.12, 9.16 (70)
Ballan 1.0, 1.2, 1.3, 2.3 (15)
GOALS, Creswick: L. Blake 4, J. Underwood, S. Gibson, C. New, W. McNabb, D. Whitfield
Ballan: T. Trickey, J. Homewood
BEST, Creswick: L. Blake, K. Irvan, D. Whitfield, J. Antonio, C. New, W. Preston
Ballan: L. Conlan, J. Conlan, H. Bongart, P. Graham, J. Homewood, E. Shaw
LADDER
Gordon, 11-0, 44 pts, 100 per cent games won
Hepburn, 9-1-1, 38 pts, 86.36 per cent games won
Rokewood-Corindhap, 9-3, 36 pts, 75 per cent games won
Dunnstown, 9-3, 36 pts, 75 per cent games won
Buninyong, 8-3, 32 pts, 72.73 per cent games won
Springbank, 7-4, 28 pts, 63.64 per cent games wo
Waubra, 7-4, 28 pts, 63.64 per cent games won
Skipton, 7-5, 28 pts, 58.33 per cent games won
Bungaree, 6-5, 24 pts, 54.55 per cent games won
Newlyn, 5-6, 20 pts, 45.45 per cent games won
Clunes, 5-6, 20 pts, 45.45 per cent games won
Daylesford, 3-8-1, 14 pts, 29.17 per cent games won
Learmonth, 3-8, 12 pts, 27.27 per cent games won
Creswick, 3-9, 12 pts, 25 per cent games won
Beaufort, 2-9, 8 pts, 18.18 per cent games won
Ballan, 1-10, 4 pts, 9.09 per cent games won
Carngham-Linton, 0-11, 0 pts, 0 per cent games won
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