A dominant second quarter by the Central Highlands Football League was the catapult to a 52-point win against Loddon Valley league in the WorkSafe Victorian country championships.
Entering the match ranked the lower of the teams, the CHFL took control after quarter time for a 19.16 (130)-11.12 (78) win at Bungaree Oval.
It was the third straight year the CHFL has won its championship game. It’s now ranked 22nd among Victorian country leagues.
There was little between the sides in the first quarter. But in the second, the CHFL secured a match-winning lead by kicking 7.5 while keeping Loddon Valley goalless.
Both teams kicked three goals in the third quarter before the CHFL dominated the final term, adding another seven goals.
For CHFL, Bungaree’s Chris O’Keefe used his home-ground knowledge to perfection, kicking two goals to be best on ground. Buninyong’s Sam Turner was also among the best, while Springbank’s Thomas Eltringham kicked five goals.
Bungaree’s Dave Benson, Scott Mann, Joel Mahar and Shaun Finlayson, Buninyong’s Jarrod Morgan, Dunnstown’s Sam Jenkins and Gordon’s Ashley Munar, Mark Gunnell and Luke Gunnell were also part of the victorious outfit.
In next year’s WorkSafe country championships, the CHFL looks set to take on the Horsham District Football League.
The CHFL was also impressive in the netball match between the two leagues, winning 57-39. The home team got off to a strong start, opening up an early lead that was never headed.
Lodden Valley stepped up in the third term by shooting 12 goals, but the CHFL matched it before shooting 14 goals in the final quarter.
Springbank’s Kelly Conroy was one of the best for the CHFL.
