Reigning Tallangatta league premiers Thurgoona are getting back to some of their best form.
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The Bulldogs were comprehensive 97-point winners against Chiltern at Chiltern on Saturday to move within a game of the top-three.
Chiltern took it up to Thurgoona in the early exchanges, trailing by 19 at the first break, before the margin was extended to 32 in the Bulldogs’ favour at half-time.
Thurgoona blew the game open in the third term with seven goals to two, followed by five unanswered in the last to record a 22.11 (143) to 7.4 (46) victory.
Jacob Bruce was the best player on the ground with a six-goal haul for the Bulldogs, Sam Cross booted three, while Cody Mannagh, Charlie Williams and co-coach Jayden Kotzur were the other multiple goal-kickers with two each.
Michael Rampal and first-gamer Robert Landman were also outstanding.
Brodie Oates and Danyl Woods battled gallantly all day for the Swans, with Nathan Woods and co-coach Ricky Whitehead finishing with two majors apiece.
After a horror start to the season, Kotzur has been pleased with the side’s form in the past month.
“It’s good to put a few consistent performances in and having a few senior players back definitely helps the cause,” Kotzur said.
“We blooded a couple of new ones on Saturday and they stood up which was pleasing.
“Lachie Hampton played his first senior game and Robbie Landman, our ruckman, made his debut at 31 years of age and was quite impressive.”
Despite winning their past five games, Kotzur knows there’s still plenty of work left to do.
“We’re coming from a fair way back and trying to catch the pack to be honest,” he said.
“We’re just making sure we win the games we think are winnable and try to tackle the teams ahead of us to keep climbing the ladder.
“There’s a fair cluster of teams in that bracket that are hoping to play finals and jump into that third spot.”
Kiewa-Sandy Creek maintained top spot with a 19.13 (127) to 10.4 (64) triumph against Dederang-Mount Beauty at Dederang.
Guy Telford extended his lead in the goal-scoring standings with another six majors, while Callum Turner was excellent all day.
Mitta United continued its dominance against Wahgunyah with a 19.8 (122) to 6.9 (45) victory.
The Lions will have to wait a little longer for their first ever win against the Mountain Men, who had no way of stopping a nine-goal haul from Drew Cameron.
Barnawartha bounced back from its loss to the Hawks last weekend with a dominant 24.15 (159) to 5.16 (46) result against Yackandandah.
Cameron McNeil finished with five goals in a best-on-ground display, while Tom Rogerson, Daryl Webb and coach Peter Cook kicked four each.
Tallangatta, 17.16 (118), were comfortable winners against Wodonga Saints, 6.9 (45).
Meanwhile, Beechworth and Rutherglen’s clash will be played on July 7.