Jindera Bulldogs completed a wonderful finals series by storming to a convincing 51 point victory over Osborne in last Saturdays Hume league final at Walbundrie Showground.
The win ended a thirty three year premiership drought for the hungry Bulldogs, with its last win coming in 1975. The loss for Osborne was its second in a row after losing to Culcairn last year.
The irrepressible Bulldogs have taken all before them with its four finals win this year being sensational as one after the other contenders failed to match their level of excellence.
Jindera won its four finals matches by a combined total of 379 points at an average winning margin of 95 points per final, in what would be a league record anywhere in any league.
In two weeks they have blown away last year’s grand finalist Culcairn and Osborne by 49 and 51 points respectively to stamp their domination on the league.
Played before a record gate of $31,350.00 and an estimated attendance of seven thousand spectators the Doggies proved beyond doubt they were worthy champions for 2008.
Jindera showed no signs of early nerves when they jumped Osborne in the first quarter banging on seven goals with the aid of a blustery breeze. Mark Hilton was on fire early and set the Doggies alight.
James Quarmby, Kade Duel, Nick Holman and Joel Mackie ran riot as the Doggies maintained their sparkling brand of running football that had smashed sides in the last month.
Osborne bounced back strongly indeed and kept Jindera scoreless in a superb quarter of football, which saw Trent Hadrill moved onto Hilton and its on ballers come into the match.
The strength of the breeze to the Lockhart end became apparent as Brett Powell, Damien Flanigan and the Gooden brothers lifted to add some assistance to the good early work done by Matt Clarke.
The mighty Cats had postponed its obituary and in fact went into half time with a three point lead. Players from both sides became involved in an ugly melee on the siren that created plenty of angst amongst players.
The third term was a beauty with Osborne kicking the first goal to take a nine point lead before both sides traded goals, with the Cats ability to score into the breeze looming as a match winner.
It was Trent Castles who set Jindera alight with a brilliant third term kicking two goals and setting up another two. A late goal by Matt Gleeson reduced the margin to just 16 points at the final change.
The question on every ones mind revolved around the lead Jindera had and was it enough with Osborne running home to the scoring end. The answer came quick and fast and it was all Jindera’s way.
The Bulldogs after missing two chances early by Aaron Boyle stepped up the intensity and completely overwhelmed the struggling and tired Cats to ram home six goals to one.
Castles, Garland and Boyle ran riot with Castles kicking another three goals, with two of them sensational conversions from the boundary line. The Doggies were on fire as celebrations started.
The backline of Jindera held up magnificently with Mick Blomley, Aaron Lezius and Kirk Wilson all nullifying dangerous opponents. Brett Powell was the only winner up forward for the Cats.
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