Cudgewa's premiership credentials have sky-rocketed after sealing the minor premiership with a six point victory over Bullioh at Bullioh on Saturday.
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After losing the season opener to Bullioh by a point, the Blues have reeled off 10 consecutive victories to secure the all important home advantage for the second semi-final.
As Saturday's encounter indicates, little separates the two sides with two of the their three matches so far this season decided by a kick or less.
Bullioh were desperate to win so it could leapfrog the top-of-the-table Blues.
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With the stakes so high, the match was played with a finals like intensity.
Little separated the two sides for the first three-quarters with the visitors clinging onto a six point lead at the final change.
The Bulldogs hit the front late in the final term mainly through the efforts of Kelvin Wallace, Hamish Clark and Josh Walters.
But some late heroics from Adam Healy enabled the Blues to snatch a memorable win.
Ecstatic Blues coach Brayden Carey said the advantage of hosting the second semi-final was priceless.
"It was tight all day and another physical encounter from start to finish," Carey said.
"We were lucky enough to be in front when the final siren sounded.
"It really gives us a good launching pad heading into finals.
"It's a massive advantage getting that home final.
"Our backline was superb and stood up under immense pressure, especially in that last quarter."
Veteran big man Jim Cleven was the Blues' best after restricting Bulldog match-winner Ash Murray to three goals.
Murray has booted 92 goals so far this season and is a massive chance to notch the ton next week against a winless Border-Walwa.
Cleven narrowly shaded fellow defender Kade Small for best on ground honours.
Dayne Carey, Luke Bloom and Ben Hall were other four-quarter contributors.
Hall and Carey combined for nine goals and caused plenty of headaches for the Bulldogs' defence.
Adding further merit the Blues were missing spearhead Brendan McEvoy, Lachlan Whiteley and David Low.
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