TALLANGATTA put a roller-coaster form guide behind it to stun Thurgoona by 40 points in the Tallangatta and District league’s qualifying final at Sandy Creek on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The unpredictable Hoppers were red-hot as they blew their opponents away with only inaccurate goalkicking costing them a bigger win.
Zac Fulford’s line-up set up the win with 12 scoring shots to five in the opening quarter with Thurgoona taking 12 minutes to make a play inside its 50 metre arc.
Midfielder Mikal Bloom was outstanding in the first-half with help never far away from Tyson Smith and Aaron Baker.
Brendan Dess was all class with three goals, while Luke Fraser provided plenty of run off a wing and Ben Heinrich was a constant worry for the Thurgoona defence.
Fulford, who used himself sparingly off the bench, said he was pleased with Tallangatta’s even spread of contributors.
“I was a really pleased with the effort,” Fulford said.
“I thought we were even across the board.
“We started well and had s lot of scoring opportunities and probably didn't capitalise on our chances enough.
“That's something we will work on this week.
“We play Kiewa in seven days and will have to play well again.
“Our spread was good and that's what you need in finals.”
Tallangatta should have led by more than 12 points at quarter-time and looked set to pay the price when Bulldog Jake Bruce put his team in front for the first time midway through the second term.
But five successive goals by the Hoppers before half-time steadied the ship and gave them a buffer they refused to relinquish.
Thurgoona threw Kade Brown into the centre in the third term with the former North Albury player making an immediate impact.
Matt Fowler was the best forward on the ground with six majors while James Wilson was strong in defence and Luke Gerecke recovered from a slow start to make an impact.
The Bulldogs were unable to get closer than 20 points with a lack of defensive play from their midfielders resulting in easy goals to Tallangatta.
James Breen finished with four goals for the Hoppers with only inaccuracy costing him a bag on the picturesque Sandy Creek ground.
Kyle Lieschke was clever in defence alongside Andrew Wood and Duncan McMaster commanded the respect of the Thurgoona defence.
Tallangatta take on minor premier Kiewa-Sandy Creek in next Saturday’s second semi-final.
