A SHOCK 80-point loss at the hands of Tarrawingee has ended the Alpine Eagles' hopes of a maiden premiership in the Ovens and King Football League.
Their less fancied opponents blew the side away in a dominant second half performance, extending an eight-point lead by 12 goals after halftime.
The loss put a dampener on a successful year for the under 18 Alpine outfit, which loomed as the Benalla All Blacks' main threat after being the only side to defeat the league leaders during the season.
Disappointed coach David McKinnon put the loss down to his side's lack of effort on the day, and a spirited performance from a vastly improved Bulldogs outfit that lost by more than 100 points to Alpine at the start of the year.
"The boys just didn't come out to play," McKinnon said.
"It was their worst performance of the year.
"The only real positive was the performance of under 16 players Mitch Dalbosco and Jesse Thomson.
"They are going to be great players for the future.
"The kids took it for granted they were going to win and it doesn't happen like that.
"To Tarra's credit they were sensational, if they were to play like that again this week they can definitely beat Benalla."
The match got off to a slow start on the scoreboard from both sides, but the Bulldogs controlled much of the early play.
Nick Lebish was good for the Eagles off half back, while Dalbosco and Thomson were standouts with their run and carry.
With Alpine still just eight points down at the main break the game was up for grabs, but the second half was one to forget for McKinnon's troops.
The side's young guns who pushed Benalla all the way the previous week went missing.
Tarra kicked six goals to one in the third, and five to one in the last to end the season for the Eagles on a sour note.
But on reflection McKinnon said the season was enjoyable, and a lot was achieved from the young group who will no doubt make an impact on Bright's senior side next season.
"The boys were disappointed," he said.
"They knew they were capable of going all the way.
"I'd like to thank all the guys for their efforts - there were a lot of great stories to come out of the year.
"The improvement from some of the guys over the year was great.
"The likes of Rhys Andreatta and Nathan Smith who played in the OandM side and came back were terrific for us.
"We also had a number of guys improve out of sight for us during the year."
By - ALEX BAIRD.
BITTER PILL: Jai Dykstra takes a solid mark during the Eagles' loss to Tarrawingee.
PHOTO: Cheryl Browne
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Last Modified on 17/09/2011 12:20