Daylesford took on rivals Hepburn as underdogs on Saturday and came out kings of the spa country.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It was a big, big kick from Sebastian Walsh that sealed the deal in the dying minutes of the clash to give the Bulldogs a six-point win on enemy territory.
Hepburn led at every change – including a 19-point advantage at the main break – but was unable to hold on for victory.
There was plenty of push and shove and in one incident half-way through the second term, Bulldogs player Ken Cummings was red-carded and reported for making contact to Sean Salmon using the head.
Daylesford coach Marcus Goonan was a happy man after the final siren.
“I think we were always a chance of winning this game. And I said that all the way through. Like I said, we were a couple of weeks off,” he said in reference to comments he made after last round’s heavy loss to Beaufort.
“We squandered a lot of chances, which was disappointing. That made it really difficult.
“We like it a bit scrappy and probably the best thing was that rain. That probably helped us.”
We like it a bit scrappy and probably the best thing was that rain. That probably helped us.
- - Daylesford coach Marcus Goonan
Daylesford had the task ahead of it as the Burras were quick out of the blocks, kicking the first goal of the match in less than a minute.
And the hosts looked like they were going to run away with the game, but the Bulldogs dug deep to keep in touch.
A thunderstorm roared through the ground with plenty of wind, rain and lightning, but petered out by the last term.
The scoreboard see-sawed in the last quarter as the Bulldogs went kick for kick with the Burras. Scores were level three times, with Daylesford’s Cameron Lovig kicking two quick majors at the start of the term.
Lovig was named one of the best for his side, alongside Joel Cowan and Ricky Costanzo. Walsh finished with three majors and Zac Tisdale two.
Hepburn coach Jason Olver said his side had some injury woes after the clash. “We’ve got a couple of injuries from incidents off the ball which we need to have a little look at,” Olver said.
“Our players got a bit too far ahead of themselves. They were second to the ball and it made them look like a very ordinary football side.”
Hogan finished with three goals for the Burras and was a standout with Segifili Asa Leausa and Dan Chapman.