Bruthen recorded its third successive Omeo District Football Netball League senior football premiership on Saturday, defeating minor premier, Omeo Benambra, by 13 points, at a packed Lindenow South Recreation Reserve ($13,800 gate takings).

The well-behaved crowd witnessed a senior match, which ebbed and flowed with Bruthen running home the strongest. Three-time league best and fairest, Harley Kenner, was awarded the best afield medal. Lindenow South caused the netball boilover of the season, defeating the previously unbeaten Buchan by 18 goals in the decider. South also won the junior football and “B” grade netball, while Buchan claimed the 17 and under netball crown.

The Bulldogs came from behind to overrun minor premier, Omeo Benambra, by 13 points at a packed Lindenow South Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

The win was sealed by equal league best and fairest winner, Jamie Barton, who after a dominant final term, made the most of an out of bounds on the full free kick, turning his Ranges opponent on the mark inside out before drilling the dagger from long range in the left forward pocket.

Omeo Benambra was the better team in the opening half, outpointing the Bulldogs in the key areas while displaying a higher level of hunger around the contest as they led by 11 at the main break.

However, Bruthen lifted during what was a slow third quarter with only two goals kicked. Veteran, Andrew Papp, roved a boundary throw in and goaled while Barton stepped up approaching time on with a 30m snap.

Scores were level at the final break, but only after a scoreboard change prior to the start of the last quarter. At three quarter time the scoreboard had Bruthen in front by two points and the scoreboard issues continued early in the last, however were finally corrected around the 10-minute mark.

Despite the Ranges kicking the opening goal of the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs were the more attacking and precise team.

Equal league best and fairest, Harley Kenner who was awarded the best afield medal – put Bruthen in front for the first time at the 10-minute mark before captain, Darcy Spong, made his side’s advantage seven only seconds later with a smart snap from the right forward pocket.

Omeo Benambra was now feeling the pressure and its play was rushed, however it did result in a Riley Steenholdt tumbler finding the big sticks to level scores after 14 minutes.

Bruthen didn’t panic and responded immediately through Craig Taylor, who played in defence for the first three quarters before being swung forward when it counted.

Omeo Benambra would miss two more opportunities to draw level and even steal the lead, however Bruthen was more composed and Barton was the one who delivered the winning goal.

It was a grand final that was simply a tale of two halves – Omeo Benambra won the desperation battle in the first, Bruthen lifted in the second and capitalised in the final term.

The Bulldogs also won key moments late.

Sam Gartside, who kept Damian Pedder goalless, won a crucial contested ball in the middle of the ground at the 19-minute mark, while a desperate spoiling attempt from Robbie Maisey, just when Omeo Benambra had opened up a pocket in attack, hit the big man’s head as he sprinted with no sight of the ball, forcing the ball out of bounds and allowing the Bulldogs to reset.

Those two acts typified Bruthen’s second half effort.

KENNER ADDS TO THE TROPHY CABINET

Harley Kenner recently claimed his third league best and fairest trophy and was desperate to add a third successive premiership medallion to his mantelpiece. The best players always want to play well in the big games and Kenner did so. Consistent across four quarters, Kenner finished with two goals – one during the second term to stem the bleeding as Omeo Benambra shot out to its biggest lead of 19 points and the second the go-ahead major midway through the final term.

Kenner, along with coach, Todd Cook, were the main reasons Bruthen were so close at half time. Cook was a bull in the contest and won numerous hard possessions, while Kenner found space and threatened to hit the scoreboard with his 20 possessions.

The battle of the leagues best and fairests was won by the Bruthen duo of Kenner and Jamie Barton, the latter being the most dynamic forward during the second half, finishing with three goals – a crucial goal shortly before the final break and the sealer.

Both Kenner and Barton also had numerous misses.

Omeo Benambra’s league best and fairest, Cody Graske, like his side, played his best footy in the opening half before fading.

The Ranges were best served by Ross Ansaldi up forward, the fleet footed left footer kicking four goals while always being lively. Pete Craze also mopped up well from defence and used his nous to get forward, and despite some poor foot disposal, Riley Steenholdt had an influence.

Bruthen’s Sam Gartside did a wonderful job limiting the influence of dangerous Ranges utility, Damien Pedder, in what was arguably the most intriguing head-to-head battle.

Overall, both sides were well serviced across the board. The difference came down to the will to win and Bruthen grasped that will when it counted.

RANGES GET CLIMBING

Omeo Benambra was the first side to make its mark in the grand final and in what was an ominous sign after intense pressure, Ansaldi marched out of a boundary throw in and into an open goal after soccering to his advantage. The Ranges could have went ahead by two goals when Rohan Smith won the resulting centre clearance and found Jai Hayward with a sizzling pass, however his set shot was wide.

Kenner got Bruthen on the board with a behind at the six-minute mark, however at the other end, movement from Craze allowed Hayward to overturn his earlier miss, drilling a long bomb with the help of a Pedder shepherd on the goal line as the Ranges went ahead by 11 at the seven-minute mark.

Pedder would miss a set shot soon after, touched on the line, as Bruthen finally made the most of a meaningful forward thrust when a Brendan Flinn long ball allowed Ash Hood to find Josh Weeks for the Bulldogs’ first. The goal came after back-to-back forward 50m entries.

Omeo Benambra hit back at the 17-minute mark when Sam Grinter pulled down Naythan Downing in a strong tackle at a stoppage, earning a holding the ball free kick and nailing the set shot off one step.

The lead was 12 and would remain that at quarter time.

The Ranges were the more desperate outfit in the opening period, tackling with ferocity and hunting the ball with more endeavor.

Bruthen kicked the first goal of the second half when Cook created a turnover on centre wing before movement allowed Barton to mark on the lead and reduce the margin to six.

However, the Ranges had the answer through Ansaldi, gathering the ball 35m out straight in front before wheeling onto his left to push the margin to 12 after five minutes.

Rohan Smith extended the Omeo Benambra advantage to 18 when he goaled from a difficult set shot in the gate pocket following a rebound 50 attempt gone wrong from Downing.

Midway through the quarter it was the Ranges who again appeared more determined in the contest, however Bruthen would soon start its rebuild.

Consecutive misses were followed by Kenner marking a Taylor pass on the lead before kicking a much-needed major to reduce the deficit to 13 at the 17-minute mark.

The Ranges’ advantage slipped to seven as a poor decision to kick down the middle from a kick in saw Maisey goal.

However, just as the Bulldogs were fighting back, a short Hayward set shot saw two Bruthen players spoil each other in their defensive goalsquare. After a scrap, Ansaldi soccered his third and would ensure his side led by two kicks at half time.

Ansaldi was dangerous every time he went near the ball and Omeo Benambra, in general, looked the more likely side to goal when in range.

Bruthen’s attacking movement was often rushed and not to the forward’s advantage.

DOGS DIG IN

Bruthen needed to lift a gear in the second half or risk Omeo Benambra kicking clear and staving off a comeback.

It was evident in the opening minute the Bulldogs were up for the fight. Barton had a snap attempt fade right before Papp showed his experience, getting out the goal side of a boundary throw in unopposed as he goaled and put the Bulldogs within a goal at the three-minute mark.

Bruthen had wrestled back momentum and it was Omeo Benambra now struggling to move the ball into its scoring zone.

The Ranges eventually got within range at the 16-minute mark, however Pedder had consecutive misses and four minutes later the Bulldogs would finally make the most of a long entry as Barton gathered a centering ball and turned onto his trusty left boot.

While both teams were slowing, Bruthen was a step ahead and showed a little more ability to run and take on the game.

Despite the hard work of the Bulldogs, it was Ansaldi who scored the all-important first major of the final term in the second minute when he picked up a centering ball in similar fashion to Barton before goaling on his left.

Consecutive Bruthen behinds were followed by a Ranges miss before Kenner marked strongly in a one-on-one and put the Bulldogs ahead by one at the 10-minute mark with a superb set shot.

The tide turned moments later as Bruthen went forward from the centre bounce and Spong found space in the pocket to snap truly and put his side seven points clear.

This kicked Omeo Benambra into desperation mode and on the back of a behind, a Bruthen kick in turnover saw Steenholdt dodge an opponent and drill a tumbling goal, levelling the scores.

However, Bruthen responded immediately when Taylor marked unopposed and goaled, returning the six-point buffer.

Graske had a chance to put Omeo back in reach soon after, however sprayed a running shot out on the full

A rushed behind followed and Gartside and Maisey would win vital one-on-ones before Nathan Hayes missed an attempt on the run for the Bulldogs.

Ash Watt moved the ball on quickly from the kick in, however his attempted pass went out on the full.

Slowing the clock, Barton summed up the situation perfectly. As defenders pushed back to guard the goal line, space opened up behind the Omeo Benambra player on the mark. Barton sold candy, got into the open space and kicked the match-winning goal - Bruthen becoming premiers for the third year running.

PICTURED: Bruthen celebrates its third successive Omeo District Football Netball League senior football premiership on Saturday.