Thurgoona has celebrated a favourite son’s milestone by smashing fellow finals contender Wahgunyah by 110 points.
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Defender Mark Haydon set the Bulldogs’ games record, passing the mark of Richard Quinn.
He’s now played 181 games.
“He moved to the club having never had a game of Aussie Rules in his life, so he’s pretty much self-taught AFL at the ripe old age of 20-odd,” co-coach Jamarl O’Sullivan said.
“He’s become one of the premier backmen in the league and he’s just the heart and soul of the club.
“Last year in the grand final he passed a fitness test but didn’t pull up very well and ruled himself out, so that shows what sort of character he is.
“I think the boys really responded in the way we needed to to give him the respect on his big day.”
Former Footscray star Doug Hawkins presented Haydon with a framed jumper on the sponsors’ day.
He moved to the club having never had a game of Aussie Rules in his life, so he’s pretty much self-taught AFL at the ripe old age of 20-odd. He's become one of the premier backmen in the league and he’s just the heart and soul of the club.
- Jamarl O'Sullivan
And it was a successful day on the field too, with Matt Fowler kicking nine goals.
But it was schoolboy Joel Roberson who was best on ground.
“He was marvellous mate, he got smashed around but he broke the lines, his decision making and skills were fantastic under pressure,” O’Sullivan said.
“Once again it shows the club’s heading in the right direction and our juniors are putting their hands up when it counts.”
The premiers retain their one-game break on Rutherglen and Kiewa Sandy Creek.
Kiewa toppled Beechworth, 14.14 (98) to 11.9 (75).
Josh Freake and Guy Telford kicked four apiece, with Nathan Vogel best on ground.
Rutherglen hammered Yackandandah, 23.17 (155) to 12.9 (81).
Ron Fuge kicked nine for the Cats, while Trent Castles landed five for the Roos.
Mitta United toppled Dederang Mount Beauty, 13.8 (86) to 7.5 (47).
Richard Turnbull was outstanding, while Darcy Eaton booted four.
Tallangatta proved too strong for Chiltern, 13.12 (90) to 6.7 (43).
Andrew Dear starred with four goals, while Danyl Woods was the Swans’ best.
And Barnawartha hammered Wodonga Saints, 18.12 (120) to 4.6 (30), with Cameron McNeill starring.