The Towners had previously made the finals from 2014 to 2018 before their drop in 2019, but they climbed the ranks this season to remain in the hunt for a premiership.

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Despite experiencing an up-and-down season, the Towners always remained within arms reach of the top eight and continually won important games throughout their campaign.

Each of their six wins were vital, as come round 17, Dunnstown needed to beat Carngham-Linton to remain a hope of making the finals.

It did so and were aided by Skipton's loss to Buninyong, helping the Towners remain in eighth position.

Like most sides, Dunnstown were unable to challenge the top five sides, however, it was the close wins over similarly ranked opponents that was the difference.

The round one 38-32 win over Waubra got the ball rolling and were followed by close five and one-goal wins over Newlyn and Beaufort.

The latter was especially significant, as it was the return game out of the season's first lockdown and a rebound from a big 21-68 loss three weeks earlier to Buninyong.

It was also Dunnstown's first big scalp for the season, helping it remain in the finals hunt.

What Dunnstown will take into 2022 alongside its finals qualification is the knowledge that it only lost to one side ranked below it on the ladder, an important aspect to success in the CHNL.

One or two mishaps against lower opposition can spell danger for finals hopes.

The one loss was to Skipton, back in round two, who actually sat above the Towners going into round 17.

They handed defeats to Waubra, Bungaree, Newlyn, Creswick and Carngham-Linton, sides below Dunnstown on the ladder, as well as sixth-placed Beaufort.

The Towners' goal next season, as it should be for other sides outside the top four, is to bridge the gap between themselves and the top sides.

They were 0-5 against top five teams Buninyong, Hepburn, Rokewood-Corindhap, Learmonth and Springbank with an average losing margin of 40.4 goals against them.

Correcting that record is easier said than done, but competitiveness against these sides on the scoreboard instills confidence and can help build momentum to carry a team from the bottom-half of the top eight into the top four.

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