THURGOONA’S quest for a third successive flag is well and truly alive after the Bulldogs hammered Tallangatta by 64 points in the first semi-final at Sandy Creek on Sunday.
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With co-coach Jayden Kotzur on fire with six goals, the reigning premier did as they pleased after quarter-time to set up a clash with Barnawartha.
All the top guns fired.
Kade Brown set the tone in the opening minutes with a 50-metre goal which sailed through at goal post height.
“It was a pretty solid four-quarter effort,” co-coach Jamarl O’Sullivan said.
“We focused on starting well and taking it from there.”
Daniel Kannenberg was creative running from defence, Lucas Mellier chipped in with three goals, Tom and Dylan Rake were tireless workers and Charlie Williams provided plenty of grunt.
Tallangatta played its best football early but undid much of its good work with some sloppy delivery inside 50 metres.
Joel O’Connell capped off a strong finals campaign with another workmanlike performance while Jake Maddock, Andrew Wood and Sam Livingstone also had their moments.
Meanwhile, Kiewa-Sandy Creek coach Adam Mudra says the Hawks dodged a bullet in their 12-point victory over Barnawartha in Saturday’s qualifying final.
Trailing by 12 points points with six minutes remaining, Ryan Wallace, Jason Bartel and Scott Bartel (two) kicked majors to advance to the grand final.
Scott Bartel’s two goals came in the final three minutes of the match.
“We played our best footy in the last quarter by far,” Mudra said.
“We got into a position where we were two goals down and I suppose it’s easier when you are in that position to take the game on.
“We attacked more and played to our strengths.
“In the end it worked out well.”
The week off will give key player Jack Di Mizio extra time to recover from an injury which forced him to spend time in attack on Saturday.
Barnawartha looked the better side for a major part on the match with Matt McLinden, Jordan Palmer, Tom Anson and Ben Kunkel playing well.
McLinden played on Hawk ball-magnet Jason Bartel while Josh Spence had an absorbing battle with Caleb Beattie.
Kiewa-Sandy Creek needed a spark in the final term and it came through Scott Bartel, Jamie Paul, Jack Andrew, Peter Winnett and Nathan Vogel.
Winnett held Tiger coach Peter Cook to three goals and Vogel applied the brakes to Mitch Exton.
“Barnawartha’s a good side and we had to work really hard,” Mudra said.