CDHBU celebrated its Coreen league premierships in style with a 52-point victory against the Billabong Crows on Saturday.
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In front a crowd of more than 1500 at Coreen, the Power kept their top-two dream alive with an emphatic 14.11 (95) to 6.7 (43) win against their arch rivals.
Pocket rocket Kade Rowe stood tall for CDHBU, kicking three goals in a best-on-ground display from the midfield, while tackling machine Damien Wilson carried on his strong interleague form for the Power.
CDHBU coach Damian Payne was a constant threat up forward and could easily have finished with more than five goals.
Nathan Rhodes was another strong contributor in the win, with a spectacular mark in the first quarter a highlight of the day.
“We were really happy with the result because we knew the Crows were looking for a scalp,” Payne said.
“We’re obviously cross-town rivals so you always want to put in a good performance against them.
“It was a big day for the club and the boys really stood up.”
Al Austin, Luke Kuschert and James O’Connell turned in solid performances for the Crows, who face another giant challenge against Jindera next round.
The Power’s fifth win of the year takes it to third on the ladder and level on points with the Bulldogs.
With four wins to their name, Rand-Walbundrie-Walla, Howlong, Murray Magpies and Osborne are in a log-jam from fourth to seventh on the table and Payne knows every win is important in one of the tightest Hume league seasons on record.
“It’s just a matter of getting the Ws next to your name and it doesn’t matter how you do it,” Payne said.
“There’s nothing between second and seventh on the ladder.
“There are no easy games, every week you’re playing for a finals spot and we know we are in for a hell of a fight at Culcairn next week.”
The Power will be boosted by the likely return of 16-year-old sensation Matt Walker for the match at Culcairn.
Walker played for Greater Western Sydney’s NEAFL team on Saturday, kicking a goal as the Giants went down to Aspley.
Former best and fairest winner Andrew Ollington is also set to return after playing in the reserves against the Crows as he recovers from a serious ankle injury.