Noradjuha-Quantong solidified its place as a finals contender in the Horsham District football league on Saturday, with a 35 point win against an injury-riddled Rupanyup.
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The skills at times were not befitting of near perfect conditions at Rupanyup, but the Bombers were able to wrestle the lead through sheer weight of numbers, eventually capitalising on their inside 50 advantage to kick away in the second half.
Despite missing several key players, Rupanyup fought hard and it was an even contest early.
Assisted by a slight breeze, midfield star Jack Kreuzeberger floated through a wobbly set-shot to give the Panthers a 20-12 lead late in the first term.
But the Bombers snagged two back before the break through Cam Bruce and Jye Walter, before kicking the first three of the second term to build a match-winning 26 point lead.
Two late Rupanyup goals cut the deficit to 15 by half time, but Noradjuha-Quantong got on top in the second half and their grip on the contest never truly looked in doubt.
It was a pivotal match for both clubs in the context of the season, with the win solidifying the Bombers' in sixth place, now eight points and a healthy percentage in front of Rupanyup in eighth.
Bombers' coach Gareth Hose said it was a crucial win for the club, as they push toward playing finals for the first time since 2011.
"We didn't play our best football ... but we're happy to get the four points considering the importance of the game," he said.
Hose said his young side were building belief.
"I can sense there's a confidence this year that is far greater than it has been in the past," he said.
"There's a few young guys that are realising their potential, and we're starting to have that real cohesion as a team."
Emblematic of the Bombers impressive young core was a terrific performance from 17-year-old Riley Dunlop.
Dunlop booted two goals for the match, including the cherry on top in the final minutes, floating through a snap from the boundary on his non-preferred right boot.
Rupanyup meanwhile did it tough on the day in the absence of several of their key players, including Daniel Schaper, coach Jack Musgrove and assistant coach Elliot Kelly.
Musgrove coached on crutches from the sidelines after injuring his kneecap last weekend.
"It's pretty frustrating having a few players out because it was a pretty tight game," Musgrove said.
"But it did give us a good opportunity to bring up a few juniors in Blake Turner and William Saligari, who did a great job."
Now eight points outside of a finals place, Musgrove said every contest from here was vital, starting with Pimpinio and Taylors Lake in the next two rounds.
"They are must win games for us," Musgrove said. "Hopefully we can then get a few senior players back and storm home from there."
In other contests, Edenhope-Apsley defeated Natimuk United by 70 points. Jeparit-Rainbow, Kalkee and Harrow-Balmoral also had percentage boosting wins by more than 100 points.