DEDERANG-Mount Beauty claimed its second huge scalp in three weeks when it upset Thurgoona by five points at Dederang on Saturday.
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Only a fortnight after bringing down Mitta United, the Bombers proved it was no fluke by winning a war of attrition in the mud to virtually stitch up fifth position on the ladder.
Spearhead Daniel Bradshaw was unstoppable with seven goals, with only several relatively simple misses robbing him of a 10-goal bag.
Midfielders Elliott Powell and Dale Lappin dominated at the stoppages, while Steve Bradshaw, Nick Iaria and Joel Heiner also turned in polished performances.
Bomber coach Marc Almond said it was an important win with Wahgunyah and Chiltern hot on their tails.
“We just need to keep winning,” he said.
“A lot of people have probably written us off but we have belief in our group that if we stick to our game plan we can be competitive with the best teams in the competition.
“We are big on systems and we had 21 guys stick to them.”
In a dour battle, Dederang-Mount Beauty and Thurgoona went goal for goal for most of the contest with Daniel Bradshaw’s ability to win one-on-one battles against Bulldog Aydan Brown giving the home team the edge late.
Thurgoona found it difficult to score with Matt Fowler missing due to injury and Sam Cross being held to one major by Matt Lee.
Lucas Mellier and Kade Brown were again prolific for the Bulldogs, but lacked the back-up to record the club’s 10th successive win.
The Bombers’ win was a huge blow for finals aspirant Chiltern, which shocked Barnawartha by a point at Chiltern.
Despite the thrilling win against the reigning premier, the Swans remain eight premiership points out of the five with only four home and away rounds remaining.
Jayden Vandermeer, Tristan Radley and Dane O’Neill playing key roles for the victors while the injury-hit Tigers turned to Paul Harrington, Thomas Anson and Tim Price to keep them in the match.
Wahgunyah stayed in touch with the five by defeating Tallangatta by 39 points at Wahgunyah.
Nick Brockley led the victory charge with eight goals for the Lions, while Thomas Woods and Cody Milne stepped up against spirited opposition from Hopper duo Duncan McMaster and Isaac Bunge.