The Goorambat Bats’ Ovens and King finals run was abruptly cut short on the weekend, as they lost by 74 points to a rampaging Bright outfit.
The Bats, determined to give their best, arrived at Tarrawingee Recreation Reserve fully aware of the tough challenge ahead against an opposition that had previously defeated them by 47 and 49 points in rounds six and 11.
The Bats started the game on a positive note, securing a five-point lead at quarter-time with a four-goal-to-three first quarter.
Bright started to show its class throughout the second quarter, winning five goals to three to take an 11-point advantage into the main break.
Still, the game was very much in the balance, but with just seconds to go in the half, Sully Malay would go off with a broken arm.
This impacted the Bats’ rotations throughout the middle, which meant they could not match it with Bright in the middle, who began to dominate from there until the final siren.
An 11-point half-time margin became 31 at three-quarter-time before a seven-goal-to-none final quarter saw the margin blow out to 74 points at the final siren.
Next up for Bright is the previously undefeated Bonnie Doon, who suffered its first loss of the year to the Greta Blues by 31 points at North Wangaratta Recreation Reserve.
Bats senior coach Ben Wapling was very proud of the side’s efforts on the day and throughout the year.
Best players: Travers Nolan, Joel Bate, Josh Heylbut, Jamie Dunne, Ben Reaburn and Rhys Goodley.
Goals: Brush Haebich 3, Brayden Stepien 2, Travers Nolan and Joel Bate.
Goorambat 4-1 7-1 7-3 7-5 (47)
Bright 3-2 8-6 11-10 18-11 (119)