The Burras snapped a four-game losing streak against the Bulldogs, winning emphatically 10.8 (68) to 3.3 (21).

The win lifted the reigning premier to fifth place on the ladder, while the Bulldogs remain in eighth place.

The defeat means Daylesford’s hopes of earning a top-four place are remote.

Daylesford coach Joel Adams said his team’s chances of making the top four were all but gone.

“It is a big ask,” he said.

“We are now just focusing on making the finals.”

Adams said he was disappointed with the result, saying he couldn’t take any positives from the game.

“We were flat from the beginning of the game,” he said.

“We were on the back foot from the beginning and didn’t fire a shot.

“We didn’t play the footy we wanted to play.

“I couldn’t find any positives from the match. We are just going to scrap that game and start again next week.”

On the other hand, Hepburn coach Clive Raak was full of praise for his team.

“Dan Smith won the Malone medal but I really thought it was a team effort,” he said.

“It was a very good win. We hadn’t beaten them in a few years.

“They have had the wood over us.

“The boys really put in 100 per cent effort into the game.”

Raak said the wet and muddy conditions played a big part in how the game unfolded.

It was an important win considering how competitive the competition was this year, he said.

“It seems if you lose the four points then it makes it hard to stay in touch with the other teams.”

Ken Cummings, Dan O’Halloran, Dan Smith, Segifili Asa Leausa, Jimmy Rogers and Beau Ryan were named among the best for Hepburn.

Daylesford’s best were William Austin, Max Risstrom, Michael Cummings and Robert Rodgers.

HEPBURN 10.8 (68) 

DAYLESFORD 3.3 (21)