A rampant Hepburn dismantled an under-strength Springbank on Sunday to leave the Tigers’ Central Highlands Football League premiership defence in tatters.
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The Burras backed up their round nine success against the reigning two-time champions with a scintillating performance in the second qualifying final at Learmonth.
A preliminary final is Hepburn’s next mission, while Springbank is left to battle rivals Gordon in a knockout semi next weekend.
It was a powerful first-half display that set up the victory, with the Burras up by 51 points at the long break.
And the big margin was nothing short of what the team deserved.
Despite leading by 17 points at the first change, it was really in the second term that the Burras got full reward for their dominance.
Jacob Brown and Jimmy Rodgers led the way with two goals each in that quarter as Hepburn put the game to bed.
When the Burras kicked five goals to two in the third term, the match was over bar the shouting.
On a day when experience was lacking for Springbank, stand-in coach Nick Couch went down early with a hamstring injury and took no further part in the game after quarter time.
The likes of Billy Driscoll and Tyler George tried hard to carry the Tigers, but were outnumbered by a host of Hepburn contributors.
Driscoll finished the day with three goals, as did Mitch Couch, while Brown and Mitch McKay managed the same tally for the Burras. Those two players were among the stars for Hepburn, with Brad McKay, Andy McKay and Jimmy Rodgers among a stack of others to play well for the winners.
SEMI FINALS
SATURDAY (at Learmonth): UNDER-15: Gordon v Learmonth. UNDER-18: Springbank v Newlyn. RESERVES: Creswick v Beaufort. SENIORS: Buninyong v Daylesford.
SUNDAY (at Daylesford): UNDER-15: Hepburn v Clunes. UNDER-18: Buninyong v Beaufort. RESERVES: Learmonth v Daylesford. SENIORS: Springbank v Gordon.
- Win for Daylesford page 19