OSBORNE, despite some inaccuracy in front of goal, came away with an impressive 36-point win over old rivals Henty, at Osborne.
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The perennial powerhouse is tracking toward yet another finals campaign and remain, along with Jindera, unbeaten on the ladder.
Twenty-nine scoring shots to the Swampies’ 13 best summed up the Cats’ dominance after they had started with a five-goal-to-one opening term.
The home side were able to restrict the visitor’s midfield dominance of previous games to starve its dangerous forward line.
Josh Gaynor maintained his excellent 2017 form to be Henty’s best player, while James Breen, three goals, was its only winning forward.
Osborne will now set itself for this Saturday’s blockbuster against Jindera, with the winning prize being outright ladder leadership.
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CULCAIRN continued its climb up the ladder with a comfortable win over Lockhart at Culcairn, winning by 53 points.
In fact, if Culcairn had not been beaten at Osborne narrowly, they would be equal with the now unbeaten Cats, instead of fourth.
Jono Robbins kept up his goal kicking form with five and, along with Trent Perczyk, three, they led a winning forward set up.
Tim Hallinan starred in midfield with a mountain of possession for the Lions, with Joel Merkel and Jye Shields playing excellent supporting roles.
Hayden McLachlan was easily the best for Lockhart kicking four goals.
Angus King, Wylie Harrington and Chayte Burkinshaw were other good players.
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HOLBROOK broke through for its first win of the season and did it in style thrashing Billabong Crows by 128 points at Holbrook.
The Brookers relished having their full list available and completely out-ran the Crows who had no answer to the Brookers’ pace and ball skills.
Andrew Mackinlay kicked a career high of seven goals to be best for Holbrook, while skipper Josh Jones celebrated his 100th game with another polished display.
Curtis Steele passed a fitness test to boot four first half goals before being rested, while Brad Carman and Lachie Parker both booted three goals.
The Crows, who were missing skipper Al Austin, put in their worst performance for the year and won’t help their battle for survival as they battle player numbers.
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HOWLONG suffered its first loss of the season when Murray Magpies smashed them after quarter time at Howlong.
The home side started well to set up a 10-point quarter time lead, before Magpies clicked into gear to rattle the Spiders.
Eight-goals-to-one in the second and third quarters put the game to bed by the last change with Damien Gray best afield for Howlong.
Veteran Shannon Gilson was a key player in the revival, along with speedy Daniel Mannagh, Josh Senior, and Hayden Edwards.
Ashley Johnson played a lone hand for Howlong with his six goals saving the Spiders from complete destruction.
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JINDERA showed that it is a deserving ladder leader after they too dominated after quarter time against Brock Burrum at Jindera.
The Bulldogs gained some revenge for last year’s 2016 grand final loss to the Saints and sent a strong message to the league in general with a commanding win by 44 points.
Jindera with just one first quarter goal trailed by 10 points, before an electrifying second quarter netted six goals and a half-time lead.
It was eight-goals-to-three in the second half as the Doggies led by Tim Darcy, Ryan Speed, Will King and Dylan Pettingill, four goals, dominated the lacklustre Saints.
The star-studded Saints and defending premiers have now lost two games in a row and will be desperate to overcome Howlong next Saturday.
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RAND Walbundrie Walla finals hopes took a hit with CDHBU leading all day to post a 13-point win over the home side at Rand.
The Power started brilliantly and its opening burst of six goals proved pivotal in the final wash up.
Their form leading into the match suggested a win was not far away.
Andy Ollington and Tim Cooper did a superb job in defence to restrict the dangerous Giants’ forward line to just nine goals.
Myles Aalbers kicked four for the home side, while Justin Gordon, Brendan Simmons and Ryan Lavery all played well in the second half revival.
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NEXT WEEK ROUND 7
Brock Burrum v Howlong (Brocklesby)
CDHBU v Culcairn
Jindera v Osborne
Lockhart v Holbrook
Billabong Crows v Henty (Urana)
Murray Magpies v Rand Walb Walla