PREMIERSHIP player Tyson Smith made a triumphant return to Tallangatta as the Hoppers upset flag contender Rutherglen by 10 points at Tallangatta on Saturday.
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Smith, who started the season with Ovens and Murray club Wodonga, was outstanding in the midfield as the home team won its third match of the season.
He fed off the ruck dominance of Tom Kennett while Matt Thomas was lively in attack with four goals.
Mitch Seaton held John Spencer to two goals and Brent Hibberson bobbed up every time Tallangatta needed a lift.
Coach Sam Livingstone said he could see the win coming after some strong lead-up form.
“It was a terrific win,” he said.
“It wasn’t a question of if it was going to happen, it was a matter of time before we knocked one off.
“It was reward for effort for a really young group.
“I knew in the back half of the year we would be OK but we just had to learn what is required to be a good side.
“Last week against Dederang it wasn’t pretty but we really stuck it out and we were just on song against Rutherglen on Saturday.”
Tallangatta started in spectacular fashion by kicking 7.5 to 3.3 before Rutherglen hit back to cut the deficit to two points at half-time.
It was virtually goal for goal from that point as Cameron and Damien Wilson, Ryan Jones, Jakeb Meyer and Sam Bowers attempted to crack the young Hopper outfit.
But Livingston’s charges responded each time with the win elevating them to ninth spot on the ladder.
Mitch Maddock, Brenton Maddock and Jarrod McDonald finished the match on the bench with injuries.
“It was a brave win,” Livingstone said.
“We have a big month ahead and it’s important we follow up this performance.”
Kiewa-Sandy Creek defeated Yackandandah by 33 points.
The Hawks opened up a four-goal buffer early and maintained the advantage with Guy Telford on fire in attack with eight goals.
Jake Hicks, Caleb Beattie and Nathan Vogel were also prominent for the victors.
Yackandandah rallied on occasions but Ethan Roberts, Nathanael Dudley and Arden Greiner lacked the support to mount a serious challenge.
Thurgoona veteran Matt Fowler kicked 11 goals in the Bulldogs’ 197-point hiding of Dederang-Mount Beauty at Thurgoona.
He has 61 goals for the season and is on track for his first century.
Aydan and Kade Brown knocked up winning possessions while Sam Cross was all class in attack with five goals.
Barnawartha’s goalkicking was first-class in its 28.4 to 8.7 win over Chiltern.
Cameron McNeill and Seamus Quinn starred for the victors while Danyl Woods was again good for Chiltern.
Mitta United crushed Wodonga Saints by 122 points at Eskdale.
In-form forward Drew Cameron bagged seven goals in a best afield performance while Nathan Reynoldson was superb with four.
In a round of one-sided results, Wahgunyah brushed aside Beechworth by 79 points.