HEPBURN enters the 2009 finals race with its confidence dented after being handed a 23-point drubbing at the hands of Dunnstown on Saturday.
Hepburn went into the match favourites, knowing it couldn't lose the double chance, whereas Dunnstown could jump to third place on the ladder if it produced a win.
Both sides preformed accordingly.
The Burras now have the challenge of getting up off the deck, capturing their early season form and defending their premiership title.
Hepburn had most of the play during the first stages of the match but found it near impossible to score in the windy conditions.
Dunnstown, on the other hand, played its home ground to perfection and seized on any opportunity that came ts way.
Trevor Johnson and Gary Byers kept the Burras in the game in the first half and Andy McKay battled hard against the odds all day.
But the trio were outnumbered by a more committed 22 on the day.
Score: Dunnstown 8.6.54 d Hepburn 4.7.31. Goals: L. Cox 2, D. O'Halloran 1, P. Dillon 1. Best: T. Johnson G. Byers A. McKay.
ReservesHEPBURN crushed third-placed Dunnstown by almost 10 goals in the final home-and-away game for the reserves.
In atrocious conditions for football Tim O'Halloran proved the standout player for the Burras.
Matt Conboy returned to top form using his pace to set up two goals for himself and set up several for teammates, while Matt Layfield controlled the midfield.
The match leaves Clive Raak sitting on 96 goals for the season.
Score: Hepburn 11.8.74 def Dunnstown 2.3.15.
Under-18
THE whole club is shocked and saddened with the passing of Adam Griffis but none more so than the under-18 group, who respected, adored and loved having Adam as a part of their team.
Adam first played for the Burras back in 2005 when he and his brother James played with the under-15 team.
After a year away Adam returned in 2007, slotted into the backline and put in many excellent performances over the next three seasons.
Adam will be missed so much by all.
Score: Hepburn 7.11.53 def Dunnstown 1.4.10. Goals: J. Rodgers 2 M Elderfield 1 J. Malone 1 N Vanzetta 1 M Allison C Williams 1.
Under-15
THE under-15 team struggled to make an impression against a strong and well-organised Dunnstown.
Right from the first bounce Dunnstown stamped its authority on the game taking the key centre clearances despite a strong performance by Tom Conroy in the ruck.
Steve Simmonds and Dan Lendric held the backline together as they came under constant pressure.
Other winners were hard to find as the bigger Dunnstown applied constant pressure all over the ground.
Jackson Carrick showed everybody how it's done, playing a great game despite taking heavy knocks from opponents twice his size.
Billy Johns was able to find space for a couple of goals and Joe Clarke put his body on the line and was rewarded with a goal.
Score: Dunnstown 12-4-76 def Hepburn 4-2-26. Goals: B Johns 2 , M Walsh 1 , J Clarke 1. Best: J Carrick , T Conroy , B Johns , T Williams , J Clarke , B Galik.
Email a friend