HOWLONG unleashed its best performance of the Hume Football League season to demolish finals contender Osborne by 79 points at Howlong on Saturday.
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Leading by 29 points at the final change, the Spiders piled on 9.3 to 1.1 in a late burst that could have serious ramifications for the visitors later this month.
Victorious coach Joel Price described the final quarter blitz as one of the best he had played in.
“I was absolutely rapt,” Price said.
“It was our best four quarter effort for the year.
“We have been improving over the past month but Saturday was our most complete performance.
“At three-quarter-time I put it on the players to finish strongly and the boys really responded.
“We have a couple of big games coming up and this will give us a lot of self belief.
“I thought everyone from our first player to our 21st player played a role for us.”
Ruckman Peter Hancock led the charge with a 30-plus possession match, while Lucas O’Neill, Steve Fouracre and Rohan Davies dominated in the midfield.
Josh Dicketts was the most damaging forward on the ground with four majors.
“If we want to finish in the top two, we are going to have to play well over the next month,” Price said.
“This is a good start for us.
“It was a big day for the club with the naming of grounds and netball courts and the boys responded really well.
“It’s probably the biggest crowd we have had this year even though it was an ordinary day.”
Osborne were best served by Martin Bahr, Trent Haddrill, Connor Galvin and Rory Muggivan.
Brocklesby-Burrumbuttock took just 20 minutes to blow away Rand-Walbundrie at Rand.
Led by Luke Schilg, the Saints kicked 7.6 to 1.2 in the opening term to set up a comfortable 80-point victory.
Darcy I'Anson, Aaron Livermore and Liam Johnson were also prominent for the victors.
Rand-Walbundrie finished with only 16 fit players on the ground with Charlie Williams, Mason Collins and Nick Cibiras toiling hard against the odds.
Holbrook returned to form with a 56-point win over rivals Culcairn at Holbrook.
Azzi medal chance Brett Doswell led the charge with another best-on-ground performance with support coming from Andrew Mackinlay and Billy Higgins.
Culcairn stayed in the game early through Nathaniel Stroh and Graham Fruean but failed to score after half-time.
Billabong Crows defeated Walla by 35 points.
Lockhart, Henty and Murray Magpies had the bye.
