After going down to Hepburn the week before, the Bulldogs were out for redemption against the Magpies and with finals just around the corner a good showing was of the upmost importance.

Best on ground for Daylesford was ruckman Scott Winduss, who dominated for four quarters, with his sheer strength and size proving a handful for the Clunes ruckmen.

Midfielder Nick Sullivan was also a standout.

Daylesford did not have it all their own way though, especially early, with Clunes taking it up to the reigning premiers.

Perhaps a sign that it was struggling playing on the smaller ground, Daylesford could only muster a one goal lead going into the first change.

A better showing by the Bulldogs in the second term impacted on the scoreboard, with backmen Nathan Gudgeon and Hayden Mobbs playing very tight, defensive football which held Clunes to just one goal for the term.

Daylesford on the other hand was able to put on some scoreboard pressure, booting five goals for the term and opening up a 26-point break at half-time.

For the Bulldogs it would immediately pay dividends in the third quarter, with Luke Beattie taking over up forward and finishing with four goals for the match.

Clunes won the final quarter but the damage was already done.

Daylesford plays fellow finalists Dunnstown next week in what will be a very tightly contested game.

Reserves

AFTER its impressive win over Hepburn last week, the Daylesford reserves put in a poor performance against their Clunes counterparts, defeating them by just five points.

While Daylesford took home the four points, the fact that Clunes has only won two games for the year shows that the Bulldogs cannot afford poor performances as the race for finals heats up.

The game was probably best remembered for the Alexander family, with Jordan Alexander, Spencer Alexander and father Jeremy Alexander all taking the field and starting in the centre square at the first bounce.

Best for the Bulldogs was Grant Boyd and if not for his ball winning and tackling ability, the game may very well have ended with a different result.

Daylesford face Dunnstown this week in a game that will have a huge say in whether the Daylesford reserves play finals football this year.