Border Mail – Interleague – Review
THE Hume league reinforced its standing as the best district league in the region with a 45-point victory over the Ovens and King at Howlong on Saturday.
Fresh from wins over the Riverina and Tallangatta and District competitions, star full-forward Damian Cupido set up another commanding performance by kicking five goals before half-time.
His fifth at the 12-minute-mark of the second quarter brought up the 1000th of his career outside the AFL with teammates swamping the Henty spearhead.
Cupido dominated kicking 7.5 while Steve Jolliffe, Ron Boulton, Ryan Speed and Marty Bahr were prolific further afield in the 18.11 (119) to 11.8 (74) triumph.
“They were great all week,” Piltz said.
“We had boys who wanted to play and I think there is a real connection between them.
“Darcy I’Anson and Brett Lefoe were emergencies and they did the water and running for us which says a fair bit I think.”
Cupido kicked three goals in four minutes in the opening term opposed to Ray Ussher with only inaccurate kicking preventing him from finishing with double figures.
“He was on fire early,” Piltz said.
“He’s such a dangerous player and the boys loved playing with him.”
While the Hume league had plenty of winners in the midfield, defenders Mick Collins, Tim Haines, Josh Gaynor and Brian Lieschke were rock solid and ruckman Peter Hancock was the best big-man on the ground.
Myles Aalbers and John-Roy Williams also caused the Ovens and King plenty of concern.
The Ovens and King were best served by Riley Moran and Daine Porter while wingman Sam Peters showed promise and Ben Clarke and Hugh Amery refused to concede.
Coach Jeremy Wilson said his team struggled to match Hume’s run.
“Hume’s spread was really good,” Wilson said.
“It was a quick game.
“Our blokes stuck at it, but Hume had a lot of run and obviously Cupido is a really good focal point.
“I thought Ron Boulton played a great game getting the ball out to players like Jolliffe.”
Henty coach Joel Price was the only injury concern to emerge from the match with the veteran dislocating two fingers.
While next year’s fixture is yet to be finalised, Piltz hopes Hume will be playing a match.
“The league is doing really well in rep footy again,” he said.
“Everyone has bought into it over the past few years and it shows in the results.”
In the curtain-raiser, Hume thrashed Ovens and King by 202 points.
The visitors had no answer to the dominance of Aidan Johnson, Eddy Ziebarth, Jamieson and Henry Bouffler, Mitch Thomas and Harry Weaven.
Johnson monstered the opposition with the Brock-Burrum ruckman capping off a best afield performance with four goals.
A 1200-strong crowd turned out for the matches.
