Dudley had the chance early in the quarter to regain the lead but C Willson missed a set shot. B May intercepted across half back and a chain of passes saw I Sullivan goal. T May passed to I Sullivan for Parndana’s next. A goal to M Condo, his fourth, kept Dudley in touch with desperate defence from the Eagles keeping them in the game.

Hard, straight running from N Dugmore to score Parndana’s tenth goal saw their lead increase to thirteen points which was the margin at the final siren.

The Best on Ground Medal was deservedly won by Dudley’s L Bowd with N Trethewey runner up. The large crowd had witnessed an excellent, even, hard fought game which was played in great spirit. The eventual winners were perhaps a little more evenly balanced with more depth on the bench. The wisdom of Dudley starting with only seventeen fit men possible telling in that desperate last quarter.

Disciplined Dudley turns tables on the Hounds

Reserves

Dudley United v Kingscote

In the reserves clash Dudley United turned the tables on the highly fancied young Hounds outfit with a reversal of the semifinal result of two weeks ago.

With Neil Stoeckel starting in ruck, the Eagles got off to a blistering start, a Brent Kirby goal from the square starting a run of four straight.

A stunned Kingscote regrouped but could only manage three points for the quarter.

In the second term, Dudley's desperate defensive work, better use of the ball and strong marking around the ground from the likes of Stoeckel, A J Buick and half back Adam Smith increased the margin while keeping the Hounds goalless.

Luke Sander and Stewey Donaghy were hard at it, forcing turnovers to send them forward but Dudley were getting numbers back, Jay Bunney was wearing gun forward Chris Chirgwin like a glove and the Hounds struggled to find a focal point.

In contrast the Eagles found options, with Matt Benson and Lochie Howard damaging up forward, Smith and Florance racking up possessions and Stoeckel a tower of strength.

At half time it was 6-4 to 7 straight points. The Hounds desperately needed a goal to spark some momentum their way, but Kirby struck first to opern the next half and continue the Dog's frustration.

At last a Lee Brown delivery found Chirgwin with a strong pack mark to kick their first, Brown again following up his own kick with another in quick succession.

The game then became scrambly as the Eagles bottled it up, then rubbed salt into the wound when a kick from Benson bounced sideways through the goals on the siren.

Last quarter and the Dogs were six goals down and needing to score quickly, and often.

Brett Clark delivered to Michael Ward who goaled over his shoulder. A quick clearance from centre and the Eagles answered with a goal off the deck to full forward Nathan Benson. Hounds forward again, Chirgy goals from the 50. Ash Richardson kicks to Clark, one point. Sander finds Brown, into the 50 where Khyal Stead kicks over his head from the boundary for a miraculous goal.

Time running out. Two more shots on goal are out on the full. Another from Chirgy hits the top of the goalpost, and the Dogs run is too little, too late.

Dudley United deserving Premiers after a disciplined display of what it takes to win finals football.

A great Captain's game from Queenscliffe Family Hotel Medallist Neil Stoeckel, while the Hounds can be proud of their efforts this year, coming from last in 2007 to be minor Premiers but just tripping over at the last hurdle.