By DANIEL SAVILLE
THE Bombers and the Bulldogs entered the game with three wins from their first eight matches and the significance of the result was not lost on either team in the season's first game of footy at Dederang.
Coming up against a Thurgoona side who won against Mitta United last week, Dederang–Mount Beauty never let the margin get out of reach, but ultimately lost by 27 points – 7.7 (49) to 10.16 (76).
Neither team was able to get too far ahead of the other as Thurgoona took a seven point into the first break and edged ahead by two goals at half–time in a low–scoring contest.
A wasteful Thurgoona were met with a tenacious home side in the third term and with a quarter to go and an 11–point margin, it was anyone's game to win.
Unfortunately, the Bombers could only kick a solitary goal as the Bulldogs bit back with three final–quarter goals and a potentially season–defining victory.
Jordan Harrington dominated in the midfield once again, as the number 33 pushed forward to score three goals.
Cody Hewat added two goals, while Matt Lee and Tom Scott were the other goalkickers for the Bombers.
Connor Brodie was once again a vital cog in defence and Will Hocking continues to impress in his debut season.
Senior captain Josh Kable felt that his side has been playing good football but has been let down by inconsistency within games.
"The general feeling among the boys was that although we have been up against the top teams these last few weeks, it has only been a bad quarter here and there that has cost us," Kable said.
"They (Thurgoona) really showed up to play and we were chasing our tails from the start."
Dederang–Mount Beauty find themselves back at home this weekend but come up against premiership contender Yackandandah, who will be looking to bounce back after a rare loss against Kiewa–Sandy Creek.
"Hopefully we can put together a good four quarters and show that we can still mix it with the top teams."
Dederang–Mount Beauty's reserves side were unable to match the intensity of second–placed Thurgoona in their 90–point loss – 5.0 (30) to 18.12 (120).
