Central Highlands: Gordon beats Hepburn in important late season encounter

Gordon and Hepburn met in brutally tough wintry and muddy conditions at last Saturday. See all the pictures.

Gordon’s chances of winning a historic third successive Central Highlands league premiership has been given a massive boost with a big win against Hepburn last Saturday.

It beat Hepburn by 31 points in tough, wintry conditions to move into second spot behind ladder leaders Bungaree with only three rounds remaining.

Since the league’s inception in 1979, no team has won three flags in a row.

Gordon downed Hepburn in brutal conditions in the Central Highlands league last Saturday. Pictures: Yuri Kouzmin

Gordon’s Zachary Graham tries to Hepburn’s Sean Tighe.

Hepburn’s Izaac Grant hunts for the footy at the base of a muddy pack.

Hepburn’s Andrew McKay lays a strong tackle in the wet.

Gordon’s Jessi Lampi takes front position.

Gordon’s Jessi Lampi wins the ruck contest with Hepburn’s Tom Brown.

Gordon’s Ben Schiltz disposes of the ball despite pressure from two Hepburn opponents.

Gordon’s Riely Ranieri brings down a Hepburn opponent.

Hepburn’s Izaac Grant is tackled without the ball.

Hepburn has slipped to seventh spot on the Central Highlands league ladder with the loss to Gordon.

Hepburn’s Bradley McKay makes a valiant attempt to tackle a Gordon opponent.

Congestion was the order of the day in the clash between Gordon and Hepburn

Gordon’s Bailey Veale holds up Hepburn’s Billy Pedretti.

Gordon’s Sam Griffiths comes over the top to spoil Hepburn’s Andrew McKay.

Gordon’s Jessi Lampi drags in the ball.

Hepburn’s Tom Brown is sandwiched between two Gordon opponents, Sam Griffiths and Macauley Griffiths.

Gordon’s Sam Griffiths competes with a teammate in the air against Hepburn.

Gordon’s Brendan Sutcliffe attacks the ball strongly with Hepburn opponent Zac Kupscxh.