Upper Murray: Bullioh ends two years of heartache against Cudgewa with grand final glory

Bullioh had lost five times to Cudgewa this season, but delivered in the match that matters. Read how a famous flag was won.

Bullioh buried a season of torment from Cudgewa on the biggest stage to claim the Upper Murray league premiership by 35 points on Saturday.

In the four-team high country competition, Bullioh had a worrying 0-5 record this season against Cudgewa, including a major fade out in the final quarter of the second semi-final a fortnight ago.

A familiar feel to earlier encounters was developing in the grand final when Cudgewa unleashed a dominant second term to turn an 18-point quarter time deficit into an 11-point halftime lead.

Cudgewa, which was on a 27-match winning streak and playing at home, had its biggest break of 17 points when veteran forward Adam Prior booted his third goal of the second term.

A late goal from Bullioh coach Clint Brunnenmeyer kept the door slightly ajar if the Bulldogs were up for the fight in the second half.

And up for a scrap they were as Bullioh slammed on five goals in succession to lead by 21 points at the last change.

Cudgewa was not dead yet as it had overhauled the same deficit in the second semi-final.

But this was Bullioh’s time to shine.

Bullioh forward Ash Murray marks near goal during the Upper Murray grand final against Cudgewa. Picture: Corryong Courier

The premiership was put to bed when it booted the first three goals of the final quarter with man-of-the-match, full-forward Ash Murray’s sixth goal putting the Bulldogs 40 points up.

Murray is in his second season with Bullioh after playing on the other side of the state in 2022 for Quambatook in its final season.

He was the main target when Bullioh went forward and he didn’t let the Bulldogs down with some strong pack marks and accurate kicking after spraying a couple early.

“It was all or nothing today,” Murray said.

“We decided to burn the boats, go all or nothing, and it worked in our favour.”

Bullioh captain Clayton Bosman leaps for a mark in the Upper Murray league grand final win over Cudgewa. Picture: Corryong Courier

Brunnenmeyer, Clayton Bosman and Jacob Curran were also instrumental in turning the tide in the second half.

Brunnenmeyer finished with three goals that helped clinch the flag in his first season as Bullioh coach.

“They’ve got us every time in that last quarter,” he said.

“It was our turn to bring it home.

“It started in the midfield and we got it to the advantage of our forwards.”

Cudgewa’s previous defeat was in the 2022 grand final to Tumbarumba with the flag favourites missing leading goalkicker Guy Telford due to a family wedding interstate.

His replacement, Adam Prior, made his presence felt in the second term, but he and fellow forwards Ben Hall and Nick Brockley struggled for opportunities after halftime.

Jack Gilbee, Jack Ross and Darcy McKimmie performed well for Cudgewa and co-coach Josh Bartel booted two goals.

“We probably used all our get out of jail free tickets during the season,” Bartel said.

“Bullioh is a great team, we’ve got full respect for them.

“That last quarter they started really well and we couldn’t peg them back.”

Bullioh has won its first Upper Murray league grand final since 2019 with victory over flag favourites Cudgewa. Picture: Corryong Courier

The Bullioh victory was particularly sweet for 41-year-old ruckman Chris Willis, playing in his first grand final.

He started the season coaching struggling Tallangatta District league club Wahgunyah, but they parted ways mid-season and he joined Bullioh.

“I never would have scripted this,” he said.

“I came for one game, liked it and here I am winning a grand final at 41.

“Footy is a crazy ride, your highs and lows, injuries, your losses.

“To beat a team that hasn’t been beaten for 27 games, (playing) on their home deck, in front of their crowd is a gutsy effort, especially being down at halftime.”

MATCH DETAILS

BULLIOH 3.4 4.4 10.17 13.13 (91)

CUDGEWA 0.4 5.9 6.10 7.14 (56)

Goals: BULLIOH: A. Murray 6, C. Brunnenmeyer 3, C. Bosman, L. Meehan, J. Hodgkin, J. Wellington. CUDGEWA: A. Prior 3, J. Bartel 2, B. Hall, N. Brockley.

Best: BULLIOH: A. Murray, J. Curran, C. Bosman, C. Brunnenmeyer, K. Wallace. CUDGEWA: J. Gilbee, J. Bartel, J. Ross, D. McKimmie, B. Carey.