Socking it to cancer: Goorambat and Benalla A-grade coaches with the cup they will be playing for on Saturday. Photo: Garry Jones
Reserves
The All Blacks reserves were on the verge of securing a finals berth when they took to the field at Tarrawingee Recreation Reserve.
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With Bright and Greta having sealed the top-two spots with several games to spare the best the Panthers could hope for is a third-place finish.
The Benalla side quickly got up to speed and showed why it is one of the most lethal teams in the league as it defeated the Bulldogs 27.13 (175) to 2.1 (13).
Taking time: Thomas Grimes lines up for a shot at goal. Photo: Garry Jones.
Harry Moran was unstoppable in front of goal as he slotted away eight goals while Thomas Grimes was awarded best-one-ground for his performance.
While the All Blacks reserves will be hoping Bonnie Doon slips up in the final round they can rest easy knowing that they will play football in September.
Best players: Thomas Grimes, Michael Kelly, John Hughes, Eoghan O Sullivan, Leigh Brazil, Sean O'Rourke.
A-grade
Wall in defence: Elyse Felstead attempts to block her opponent. Photo: Garry Jones.
As the Panthers came up against a third-placed Bulldogs’ side, they knew it was going to be a tough afternoon.
Tarrawingee got off to a fast start at home and had taken a 15-goal lead by the end of the first quarter.
The Bulldogs continued to pull away in the second and third quarters as the All Blacks’ injury crisis paid its toll on the Benalla side’s ability to compete.
Credit goes to the Panthers for their efforts to stay in the game and at the final whistle the Bulldogs claimed victory by 35 goals.
The All Blacks will finish off their season with a local derby at home against Goorambat on Saturday afternoon.
Aiming high: Alara Jones looks for goal. Photo: Garry Jones.
Seniors
Flying high: Benalla's Cody Crawford contests for the ball. Photo: Garry Jones.
As a battle of the bottom-two teams got under way on Saturday afternoon it was the Bulldogs who got off to a better start.
Tarrawingee was near perfect in front of goal in the first spell as it kicked six goals and one behind.
The same could not be said for the Panthers who were held at bay by the Bulldogs and only managed one major.
The Benalla side matched the home team in the second spell but its efforts did not translate into turning over the scoreboard.
The Bulldogs owned the third quarter and drew out their lead to 46 points but the Panthers mounted a comeback in the final period.
The All Blacks held their opposition to two behinds while managing to kick four goals themselves.
It was a lack of scoring efficiency that meant the Panthers charge in the last was unsuccessful and the Bulldogs won13.7(85) to 9.12 (66).
Caught: Nich Spencer lands a tackle. Photo: Garry Jones.
Best players: Cody Crawford, Lachlan Sinclair, David Button, Jesse Walker, Kieran Linke, Chelton Orchard.
Terry socks it to cancer Day
Good rivalry: Senior coaches Nich Spencer of the All Blacks and Jared Brennan of Goorambat holding the trophy they will play for on Saturday. Photo: Meredith Tolliday
In the final round of the O&K, the All Blacks and Goorambat along with all other teams in the league will be wearing colourful socks to support Terry socks it to cancer.
The A-grade and senior teams will battle it out for silverware in the local derby with proceeds raised from the sale of the socks and other fundraising events going towards the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund.
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