FLAG favourite Cudgewa capitalised on a severely depleted Bullioh outfit to inflict one of the Bulldogs’ heftiest losses in recent seasons at Cudgewa on Saturday.
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With midfielders Ben Aalbers, Mitch Pynappels and giant ruckman Jim Cleven firing, the Blues buried the opposition in a first-half avalanche, booting 11 goals to one.
By the final siren the scoreline had blown out to 22.19 (151) to 1.6 (12).
In an ominous sign, the defending premier was as clinical as it had been all season with Blues forwards Ben Hall and Ben McEvoy lively with 10 goals between them.
Aalbers also capped a polished display with four goals.
Blues coach Aaron Lezius labelled the ruthless victory as their best four-quarter performance of the season so far.
“It was a four-quarter effort and the boys didn’t let up all day,” Lezius said.
“It was pretty pleasing to be honest.
“I was surprised that we were able to keep them to one goal, but they had a few big outs with spearhead Jade Culph and ruckman Jordan Bannister both sidelined alongside a few other midfielders and forwards. So it made our job a bit easier.”
Classy midfielder/defender Michael Voigt lodged a clearance during the week to return to Cudgewa from North Wangaratta, but is still yet to be cleared by the Ovens and King league club.
Tumbarumba was lucky to escape with a seven-point win over Border-Walwa after trailing at the final change.
Federal was also pushed to the limit by fierce rival Corryong before digging deep in the final quarter to emerge with a 20-point win.