CUDGEWA’S stunning resurgence has reached new heights with a gutsy 29-point win over Corryong at Corryong on Saturday.
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The 16.12 (108) to 12.7 (79) upset victory made a mockery of the theory that Corryong is the raging flag favourite.
Undefeated Cudgewa now sits two games clear on top of the ladder with a 5-0 record after having played each other once.
Make no mistake, after missing finals last season the Blues already have one hand on the minor premiership and will take a power of beating come September.
Blues coach Bill Deery said a sensational start to the season had instilled belief they can now match any side.
“We went into the clash underdone, missing some key personnel and with our backs against the wall,” Deery said.
“But we have achieved nothing yet.
“Footy is a funny game: things can change in this league really quickly.
“We were in this position two years ago and started 7-0 and thought we had a really good shot at the flag only to be beat in the decider.
“Obviously now that we are 5-0 we will become the hunted in contrast to the hunters.
“Sides will be looking at us and thinking to themselves ‘how are we going to combat Cudgewa’?
“So we need to keep working, need to improve and there is still a lot of work to be done.”
In a pulsating match, Corryong threatened to kick clear of Cudgewa several times in the first-half, only for the Blues to answer every challenge.
Trailing by nine points at the main break, Deery switched Dane Arthurs from forward to back and sent Dylan Ward forward with lethal effect.
The Blues also gained the upper hand in the midfield with Joel Bailey and Michael Voigt providing plenty of opportunities for spearhead Brendan McEvoy who finished with six goals.
The Blues went into the clash without Deery, Greg Wheeler, Marty Thompson, Alex Star, Allan Cleven and Brendon Hocking.
In other matches Federal slipped outside the top-four after going down to Bullioh by 64-points while Tumbarumba was forced to dig deep to beat Border-Walwa by 35 points.