CUDGEWA has emerged as a genuine Upper Murray force after overcoming league heavyweight Bullioh at Cudgewa on Saturday.
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The top-of-the-table Blues remain the only undefeated team after their impressive 11.13 (79) to 8.9 (57) victory.
They have now gone from finals contenders to the most likely threat to raging flag favourite Corryong.
It was the Blues most significant win of the season before another huge test against the Demons this week.
Blues coach Bill Deery said there was still plenty of upside for his side with Alex Star, Greg Wheeler, Marty Thompson, Leigh McColl, Matt Jarvis and Allan Cleven all missing on the weekend.
“It was an impressive win considering the blokes we had out,” Deery said.
“Some of the blokes we were missing play key roles but I take my hat off to the guys who came into the side and did a job for us.
“There is still a lot of improvement in the side and we play Corryong this week which will give us a fair indication of where we are at.
Midfielder Ben Aalbers was the Blues’ best amassing 40-plus possessions.
Deery was lavish in his praise of the brilliant ball winner.
“Ben was sensational and played probably one of the best games I have ever seen in the Upper Murray,” he said.
Aalbers received plenty of support from Stephen McCabe and Mitch Pynappels.
The Blues’ defence was outstanding, with Joel Bailey keeping Tom Hickey goalless while Dylan Ward restricted Jade Culph to one goal.
Bullioh was buoyed by the inclusion of four-time premiership coach Mark Nichol for his first match of the season.
Meanwhile, Ben Carey booted six goals as Tumbarumba notched its first win of the season, by 40 points over Federal.
Corryong smashed Border-Walwa by 153 points.