THURGOONA stitched up a coveted top-three finish with a 41-point victory over injury-hit Kiewa-Sandy Creek at Tangambalanga on Saturday.
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The Bulldogs moved to second on the ladder with the 15.13 (103) to 8.14 (62) victory and will meet Rutherglen in the qualifying final after the Cats easily accounted for Yackandandah to stitch up third position.
The Hawks dropped to fourth on percentage and will meet Barnawartha in the elimination final but with Leigh Cameron (finger), Wylie Jackson (foot) and Scott Bartel (quad) sidelined and unlikely to play again this season, their depth will be severely tested.
Full-forward Guy Telford also hurt his knee late against the Bulldogs but played out the match.
Thurgoona has its own injury concern with Lucas Mellier facing up to a month on the sidelines after hurting his knee against the Hawks.
But that was the only downer for the Bulldogs, who piled on eight goals to one in the opening quarter to set up the impressive win.
Todd Miller kicked three goals in a best-on-ground performance while Ben Lloyd’s hot form continued with a strong display in the midfield. After spending time in a high half-forward role, Matt Fowler was pushed deep into attack and finished with three majors.
Thurgoona co-coach Peter Copley was pleased to secure the double chance ahead one of the most evenly-contested finals series in recent seasons.
“It’s just good to get into finals,” he said.
“It’s good reward for everyone at the club to have both our firsts and seconds in the finals and both sides will play Rutherglen this week, which is great for both clubs.”
The Cats edged ahead of Kiewa-Sandy Creek with a 40-point win over the Roos at Rutherglen. Chris Oats and Jared Farwell played key roles in the victory while Jakeb Meyer will be a welcome inclusion against the Bulldogs, who have won both meetings between the clubs comfortably this season.
James Breen kicked nine goals as Tallangatta finished the season on a high with a 52-point win over Chiltern.
Beechworth’s Lee Dale enhanced his Barton Medal hopes with a strong showing in a 35-point win over Wahgunyah. Jordan Wolff kicked 12 goals in Barnawartha’s 234-point blitz of Dederang-Mt Beauty while minor premier Mitta United eased into the week off with a 195-point mauling of Wodonga Saints.
Xavier Mardling
Xavier started at The Border Mail in Albury-Wodonga in 2001, covering sport and general news before moving to the subs' desk. He was editor of his hometown masthead from 2016 to 2020 before swapping the Murray for Merewether. He returned to The Border Mail as editor in 2023.
Xavier started at The Border Mail in Albury-Wodonga in 2001, covering sport and general news before moving to the subs' desk. He was editor of his hometown masthead from 2016 to 2020 before swapping the Murray for Merewether. He returned to The Border Mail as editor in 2023.
