Winning streak over
The Benalla All Blacks’ eightgame unbeaten streak has been snapped by Tarrawingee.
Before the match, the Bulldogs and Panthers sat first and second respectively in the Ovens and King Football League — both sides were unbeaten in the competition.
The two sides met at the Friendlies Oval on Saturday, with All Blacks coach Harry Moran saying in the lead-up to the match, that if his side could get the win, they would be marking themselves as flag and premiership contenders.
The match started with the home side straight into attack and scoring immediately, signalling their intent. All Blacks 2.3, 4.5, 6.8, 6.9 (45) Tarrawingee 4.3, 8.5, 10.9, 16.12 (108) Panthers goals: Jack Ellis 3, Sam McGregor 2, Regan Sheehan. Panthers best: Jack Ellis, Andrew Trende, Paul Creamer, Riley Moran, Sam Newton, Jack Doidge.
Moran said new recruit Finlay Florence and returning Andy Trende, who came in for the injured Chris Lockhart and Chris O’Connor, impressed him in the match.
‘‘Trendy (Andy Trende) is always a reliable in for us, and he did a fantastic job for us, he’s an extremely talented defender.
‘‘As for Fin, it was a tough debut for him, he’d never played senior football before and there’s a big pace difference from twos (reserves) to seniors, but you bring these kids in to develop them ... but I was extremely happy with his debut.’’
It was a tight contest, and while All Blacks had plenty of the footy, it was Tarrawingee who used the ball more purposefully, booting four goals to the All Blacks’ two in the first quarter.
Moran said the difference between Tarrawingee and the Panthers on the day was in the midfield.
‘‘They clearly rotated their side well and they had maybe eight genuine midfielders to our four. I don’t think it came down to us not being fit enough, but they just had the midfielders and the depth,’’ he said.
His side will now look forward to bouncing back from the loss when they compete against local rivals Goorambat away at Goorambat Recreational Reserve on Saturday.
‘‘Both sides, when the draw first came out, will have penciled this one on the calendar,’’ Moran said.
‘‘We’re just below them on the ladder and both sides will fancy themselves for this one.’’
The match kicks-off at Goorambat Recreational Reserve at 2.15 pm on Saturday. Seniors Goorambat 7.4, 11.13, 18.17, 24.20 (164) North Wangaratta 0.0, 4.1, 6.3, 8.3 (51) Goorambat best: Sam Gladstone, Adam Cole, Nathan Farley, Clinton Relf, Andy Cook, Travers Nolan. Goorambat goals: Cam Symes 6, James Webb, Andy Cook 3, James Dalton, Shane McKean 2, Ant Symes, Brett Cuy, Jared Brennan, Brett Pollard, Glenn Burnell, Sam Gladstone, Adam Cole, Travers Nolan. Reserves Goorambat 3.1, 6.2, 8.3, 9.5 (59) North Wangaratta 3.2, 7.4, 9.7, 11.7 (73) Goorambat best: John House, Glenn Barker, Bart Cann Brenton, Trevor Taylor, Simon Briggs, Daniel Hooper. Goorambat goals: Scott Armstrong 2, Bart Cann 2, Les Lawford, Simon Briggs, Tim Sullivan, Sean McDonald, John House.