THE Daylesford Bulldogs have gone to the top of the ladder after defeating cross-town rivals Hepburn by 87 points at the weekend.
In front of a bumper crowd, Daylesford was never challenged with a dominant first-half display setting up the win that now places the Bulldogs one game clear on top of the CHFL ladder.
The first quarter began with both teams battling for early supremacy but after the five minute mark it was obvious that Daylesford was on top.
Two early goals to Nick Sullivan started the onslaught and with the side fired up Daylesford continued to attack, putting a huge amount of pressure on Hepburn defenders.
Daylesford's defensive pressure was also top notch early on, creating Hepburn turnovers through the middle of the ground and then driving the ball long and deep towards the Bulldogs' key forwards.
Not many supporters could believe what they were seeing when by quarter time Daylesford had kept the Burras goalless and had a 46-point lead.
However, the Bulldogs weren't finished scoring and with coach Luke Beattie leading the way from the forward line, Daylesford continued to pile on the goals.
Toby Hughes was playing the best game of his short Daylesford career, looking dangerous around goal and using his aerobic capacity to get to every contest.
As the half-time siren drew near, Hepburn were able to kick their first goal of the match. The half-time scoreboard, however, was a sight to behold for Bulldogs supporters, with Daylesford taking a 76-point lead into the main break.
With the coach's message at half-time being to continue to dominate, Daylesford again came out firing with Toby Hughes kicking his third goal two minutes into the third term.
Supporters still couldn't quite fathom the destruction that was taking place, and when crowd favourite Andrew Button began to get on top of his opponent the Daylesford fans were in raptures.
Button booted three goals for the quarter essentially ending the game there and then.
A mammoth 112-point lead had opened up at three quarter time, which was a credit to every Bulldog player on the ground.
All players had done their job, especially those who had a defensive role on Hepburn's most dangerous players.
Shannon Mobbs kept livewire Andy McKay quiet, while James Evans blanketed Ashley Wedding and ran off him to provide an option up the field. Scott Winduss also continued his great run of form, taking control in the ruck and becoming a link man in many of Daylesford's thrusts
forward through the middle.
To Hepburn's credit they fought out the final quarter well and comfortably won the term in the end, however the damage was already done, with Daylesford running out 87 point victors.
Despite the loss, a great display of camaraderie and sportsmanship from the Hepburn players, officals and supporters was shown when they joined Daylesford for the post match presentations and speeches in the clubrooms.
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