YACKANDANDAH star Trent Castles brought up his second century in the past three seasons with a 10-goal bag against Wodonga Saints at Yackandandah on Saturday.
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Castles reached the milestone just after half-time when he converted a set shot from 40 metres.
“It was good to get it out of the way,” Castles said.
“Mum was at the game to see it this time which was good.
“The boys fed me pretty well.”
Castles has 102 goals from 16 matches and only needs another seven to eclipse his tally in 2015.
He has been a prolific goalkicker in country football for Jindera and Yackandandah since playing in Albury’s 2009 premiership.
Yackandandah went on to win the clash by 145 points with Harry McBurnie and Lee and Jay Dale pushing Castles for best afield honours.
Zack Pleming rallied hard against the odds for Wodonga Saints.
Kiewa-Sandy Creek is shaping as Thurgoona’s biggest threat to winning back-to-back premierships after the Hawks defeated Mitta United by 17 points.
With their talented fleet of runners controlling play, the home team opened a handy break in the second quarter and refused to give it back.
The loss leaves Mitta United almost certain to play-off in the elimination final.
“We rate and respect them very highly so we were really happy to get the result,” Mudra said.
“It’s nice to know you are playing a good calibre of football and are in a good space.
“We want to be playing our best footy at the right time of the year.
“I think the best thing about our group is we are spreading the load more than previous years where there has been a heavier reliance on one or two players.”
Aaron Gordon and Jason and Scott Bartel were outstanding for the Hawks while Jamie Paul capped off a superb match with three majors.
Jacob Barber and Zac Mona also stood firm in a hard-fought clash between the rivals.
Mitta United, who has dropped successive matches to Thurgoona and Kiewa-Sandy Creek, showed plenty of grit with Louis Miller, Danny Stewart and Brendan Hodgkin playing well.
The Blues play Tallangatta and Chiltern in the run home and are relying on Wahgunyah slipping up to regain a spot in the top-three.
Thurgoona proved too strong for Tallangatta, winning by 58 points.
The Bulldogs cut loose in the second term with Dylan Rake, Joel Roberson and Jacob Bruce creating havoc around the packs.
Matt Fowler was held to two goals, taking his tally to 95 for the season.
Tallangatta had triers in Tom Russell, Mitch Seaton and Tyson Smith.
Rutherglen accounted for Chiltern by 95 points.
With Ron Fuge on fire with eight majors, the Cats took charge in the second term through their midfield.
Wahgunyah was forced to work hard to defeat Barnawartha by 11 points and Beechworth outgunned Dederang.