Strathmerton confirmed the precept on Saturday, utilising a strong wind which hindered it in the second quarter to conjure a monster six-goal third term and stamp a rousing 15-point win over Tungamah.
The Bulldogs crept out to a four-point lead in the first, but with just a sole behind to show for their efforts in the following 20 minutes, a tactical switch set up a memorable result and left the Bears smarting with their first loss of the season.
Strathmerton co-coach Tim Bramwich was chuffed in the aftermath of a well-fought contest.
“It was a pretty tight game all day really, there wasn’t much between the two sides – no-one really got a break,” he said.
“There was a bit of a breeze to one end, so we were against that in the second.
“We had our opportunities, we were just turning it over when we got it inside 50.
“We made a few changes in the third inside 50 with a few different personnel ― Jake Anderson went deeper, Tim Looby came out a bit and it probably worked in our favour.”
The industry of Anderson (four goals) and Looby (three) was instrumental, but Strathmerton only held a one-goal lead entering the last quarter.
Bramwich cited a full-faceted effort from his squad helped close out the game and secure a 10.9 (69) to 8.6 (54) win.
“Jake Ellery was super in the midfield, but we had a lot of contributors really,” he said.
“It was a pretty even team performance.”
The Bulldogs’ next test lies with Katamatite, a side coming off a 14-goal trouncing of Yarroweyah.
Mitchell Coleman and Will Gorman lit up the scoreboard for the Tigers, walking off the park with 11 majors between them.
Elsewhere, Waaia remained the only unbeaten outfit after cruising past Katunga 14.13 (97) to 9.7 (61), while Katandra edged out Jerilderie by 15 points and Picola United fell to Rennie.
On the netball courts, Waaia kept its win streak alive as the Bombers sent Katunga packing 46-33.
Rosie Arnel’s side has been in stellar form of late, with Satuday’s 13-goal win over the Swans the third win on the bounce after falling to Deniliquin Rovers in round one.
Meanwhile, Strathmerton squeezed past Tungamah by four goals to barge into the top three, Katamatite was ousted by Yarroweyah 41-25, Katandra earned a 21-goal win over Jerilderie and Rennie took four points off Picola United.
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