GLENTHOMPSON-DUNKELD has cemented its place in the Mininera and District Football League finals with a 145-point win against the Pumas at Moyston on Saturday.

The Rams only needed to win to retain fifth spot and against the bottom-of-the-table side, Glenthompson-Dunkeld was in the box seat.

A nine-goal opening quarter was a sign of things to come for the visitors, while holding the Pumas to just one major.

By half time, the margin was stretched to 78 points and the result was already looking ominous for the home team.

A scoreless third term for Moyston-Willaura meant the Rams could take it easy late in the game, going on to win, 28.18 (186) to 6.5 (41).

Josh Crook and Jesse Overall each kicked four goals for the winners, while Rhys Cronin was the Pumas’ best forward with three.

Tyler Staude and Andrew Lowe led the way for Glenthompson-Dunkeld.

Rams coach, Simon Hatherell said the message pre-game was the simple things needed to be done to ensure the team got the win and extended the season into finals.

“We have needed to keep winning for the last month and we have strung those four together and it has put us into the top five,” he said.

“You come up against a side in the last round at home who hadn’t won a game all year.

“I thought they could have had one of their strongest sides all year, but what was pleasing was we kicked nine goals in the first term and we were able to change things up and rest some guys later in the game.”

The strong start to the game allowed Hatherell to spin the magnets in the second half and work on some things ahead of finals.

A defender went forward with success and the Rams gained extra confidence late in the contest.

“We tried a couple of things I wanted to do and things I may use this weekend which I thought worked well,” Hatherell said.

“James Lloyd usually plays in defence, but he went up forward and led up well and kicked three goals.

“We played that first quarter as well as we have played all year.”

Henry Barr rolled his ankle with a few minutes left in the game and will undergo a fitness test this week, as the only injury concern for the Rams out of the game.

Other games

PENSHURST finished its season with a thumping 139-point win against Caramut at home.

A four-goal first quarter set up the win, with the Bombers going into half time leading by 61 points.

The Swans did all they could to slow the game down in what were tough conditions at times, but the Bombers were determined to see off the 2022 season with a bang.

A nine-goal final quarter from the home team saw the red and black claim a 24.16 (160) to 3.3 (21) victory.

Henry Bensch continued his strong form in front of goal, kicking a game-high five majors, while Jye Uebergang finished with four goals.

Sam Weston was named Penshurst’s best ahead of Bensch and Uebergang.

Bombers coach, Cam Penny said the main focus was to control their result and the rest would take care of itself with a finals spot still possible going into the game.

“We just spoke about what we could control and we wanted to implement what we’ve done when we have played our best footy,” he said.

“It was pretty slippery conditions, we were happy with how we went and it is pretty well documented that we had some problems with our accuracy through the middle part of the season.

“It was just really pleasing to finish off strong in the areas we wanted to focus.”

Penny also acknowledged Bensch’s efforts, offering a target up forward and getting attention from other teams.

“Henry is a pretty good all-round kid, he is a pleasure to coach and he is going from strength to strength,” he said.

“Conditions made it a bit difficult to handle the ball, just don’t notice with Sam (Weston), he stands up when he needs to and it was another typical game from him as well.”

 Penny also announced after the game his coaching tenure would end in 2022 but hoped to remain around the club.

“With work commitments and a young family, it was the right time to let someone else take the reins,” he said.

“The club has had an immediate impact on me and I definitely hope to remain around the club.”

Hawkesdale-Macarthur was facing a tough test to close its season, hosting Ararat Eagles at Hawkesdale, and went down by 77 points.

The majority of the scoreboard damage was done in the first quarter, as the visitors piled on 7.5 to just one behind, with the home team trailing by 56 points at the main break.

The second half was more of an even contest with Hawkesdale-Macarthur unable to close the deficit to lose, 4.4 (28) to 15.15 (105).

LISMORE-DERRINALLUM’S Michael Lockyer has continued his hot goalkicking form, bagging another 15 to lead the Demons to a 236-point win against Great Western.

Lockyer’s haul increases his season tally into triple figures, with 47 of those coming in the past three weeks.

The home team piled on 10 goals in the first term and by half time already had 151 points on the scoreboard and led by 123 points.

The second half was much the same as the first, with the Demons finishing comfortable 45.15 (285) to 7.7 (49) winners.

WOORNDOO-MORTLAKE limped into finals in fourth place but will need to improve significantly after losing to Tatyoon by 95 points at home.

The Hawks led from the outset and was 52 points clear at half time, as the Tigers were unable to reel in the deficit.

Tatyoon went on to record a 19.16 (130) to 5.5 (35) victory.

WICKLIFFE-LAKE BOLAC held on to win a thriller against SMW Rovers by a point in the final game of the round at Mininera.

The home team led at each of the three breaks, but the Magpies finished strong to win, 9.12 (66) to 10.5 (65).