REIGNING premier Hepburn is in danger of a shock departure from the CHFL finals series after suffering a 43-point thumping from Gordon in Sunday’s qualifying final.
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The Burras went into the clash as hot favourites, but never hit top gear, going down 19.13 (127) to 13.6 (84).
“By far, that was our worst performance of the season,’’ disappointed Hepburn coach Clive Raak said.
“Gordon wanted it more than what we did. They played aggressively and with spirit and confidence.
“We played as if it was just going to happen for us. You can get away that type of attitude sometimes in the home-and-away season, but this is finals football – you can’t do that now.
“We’ve got our backs against the wall now and we have seven days to redeem ourselves.”
The Burras will play a cut-throat semi-final against Springbank on Sunday, with the winner to advance to a preliminary final clash with Waubra.
Springbank advanced to the semi-finals with a hard-fought 15-point win over Learmonth.
“I rate Springbank pretty highly,’’ Raak said.
“They have some very talented players. If we play the same way as we did against Gordon, our season will be over.”
Gordon took control of the qualifying final in the first quarter, kicking six goals to three.
It extended its 18-point quarter-time lead to 27 points at half-time.
“Every time we started to get some momentum, Gordon would respond. n the third quarter we cut the margin back to two goals and it looked like we were back in the game, but Gordon went bang, bang and the lead was out again,” Raak said.
Gordon led by 30 points at three-quarter-time and completed the impressive win with a four-goal to two final quarter.
It was the second time this season Gordon has defeated Hepburn.
The Eagles are the only team to score more than 90 points against the Burras.
“Gordon is a very good side,’’ Raak said.
“It just shows there’s not much between the top four teams. If you don’t play to your best, you’re going to get beaten.”
Hepburn had few four-quarter performers against Gordon.
Mitch, Brad and Andrew McKay could hold their heads high, while youngster Finn Anscombe had a very good second half.
Raak said the Burras would probably rush star defender Daniel Smith straight back into the senior side this week.
Smith hasn’t played for six weeks, but the Burras need his class and experience down back.
This Sunday’s Hepburn versus Springbank semi-final will be played at Bungaree.
