BACK BREAKER: Eddie Dunstan celebrates a goal late in the third quarter to turn the tide for Milawa. PHOTO: Luke Plummer
IT took a big finish from Milawa to finally snuff out a determined Bright outfit on Saturday, with the Demons bouncing back from their first loss of the year to defeat the Mountain Men by 40 points.
Early on the result appeared to be a foregone conclusion.
From the side that beat Moyhu seven days earlier, Bright had lost star midfielder Ben Henwood to suspension, defensive general Jason Gentile to a broken foot, ruckman Dylan Cudmore to soreness and gutsy backman Sean McGregor to a prior commitment.
Electrifying forward Ricky Weimer had been set to play his first senior match for the year before rolling his ankle at work, while Baker Medallist Ben Bond and coach Regan Alexander each missed a second straight game with hamstring complaints.
Add to that list the likes of Dylan Bursill, Daniel Sgambelloni and Ben Jones, and it was clear that Bright was spread thin, a fact that became ever more apparent as the game commenced and the Demons proceeded to dominate.
Twenty minutes in the Mountain Men had failed to score.
Their three inside 50s had sailed well over the head of the leading Tom Buckley, prompting coach Alexander to move the gun full forward into the midfield.
For full story, please see today's Wangaratta Chronicle 9/5/2016
Last Modified on 09/05/2016 15:53