Kiewa Sandy Creek has toppled an inaccurate Rutherglen in the battle of unbeaten teams.
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The Cats had six more scoring shots, but the Hawks won 18.6 (114) to 13.17 (95).
“We had 30 scoring shots to 24, if you turn that around, 17.13, it’s a totally different ball game,” Rutherglen coach Damien Wilson said.
“But it wasn’t an individual, it was more a team effort across the board.”
Boom forward Guy Telford was superb for the home team, kicking seven goals straight.
“He was terrific,” coach Adam Mudra said.
“I think everyone knows how talented he is, he’s certainly one of the better key forwards in the competition.
“He’s a big, strong man but he also reads the game really well and that allows him to get to the right spots at the right time.”
The Hawks used a different forward line to the one which played in the wins over Tallangatta and Dederang Mount Beauty.
“We probably just went a little bit smaller and that was probably personnel-driven,” Mudra said.
“Against Dederang we had a wedding, one of the boys got married, so we didn’t have access to our best 21.
“It was the first week where we’re getting close to our best 21, and up until this week we probably haven’t been able to try the things that we’d like to do.”
Rutherglen ruckman Tom Osmotherly injured his ankle and Wilson says he will need to pass a fitness test to take his place in Saturday’s home clash against Chiltern.
Chiltern continued Mitta United’s slow start to the season with a 47-point win.
Just like Kiewa, the Swans kicked accurately, posting an 18.8 (116) to 9.15 (69) win.
Nathan Hooper was outstanding, booting 11 goals to destroy the visitors.
Elsewhere, gun Yackandandah forward Trent Castles also kicked a bag.
He booted eight in the Roos’ 14.11 (95) to 9.17 (71) win over Beechworth.
Castles has kicked clear on the goalkicking ladder, with 25 after only three games, therefore maintaining his average.
Wahgunyah’s Nick Brockley is second on 17, and he landed three in the 18.17 (125) to 2.6 (18) win over Dederang.
Wahgunyah is one of three undefeated outfits, joining the Hawks and Yackandandah.
Thurgoona sits in fourth after its shock loss to Rutherglen a fortnight ago, but the premiers bounced back with a thumping win, 20.15 (135) to Barnawartha’s 8.4 (52).
In the other match, Tallangatta kicked a round-high 26.18 (174) to Wodonga Saints’ 8.3 (51).
Joel Butler kicked five majors as the visitors shared the spoils.
Eleven players kicked goals in the 123-point caning.