The University Cougars have claimed the 2018 Canterbury AFL minor premiership after upsetting the Christchurch Bulldogs in the final round robin game of the season.
From the centre bounce it was clear this was going to be an arm wrestle and whoever had more passion for the footy was going to come out on top.
The Cougars opened their account first with Jamie Day kicking the early goal.
Attack around the ball was ferocious and the ball swapped ends many times. Sam Burdett (Bulldogs) was solid in defence taking a diving mark on wing but his kick went down the throat of champion rookie Dan Brooks.
Although neither team could punish the other on the scoreboard, the Cougars were playing the better brand of football and entered the first quarter leading by a single point.
The Bulldogs opened the second quarter with a quick goal set up by Central Giants defender Dean Smith who took a great defensive mark and pumped the ball back into their forward fifty.
University squandered a number of goal scoring opportunities in the second term as they still held onto their one point lead at halftime.
With a number of injuries during the game, the Bulldogs started the third quarter with a depleted bench.
University superstars Brad Mavor linked well with Nick Rhodes who set up his forward line who kicked true and gave the Cougars some breathing space.
Jacob Edy kicked a big 50m goal later in the third quarter to extend the Cougars lead to twenty points with one quarter remaining.
Kicking with the wind in the final quarter, the Cougars were ruthless as they piled on another four goals to zero to set up a famous victory sending them straight through to the Grand Final in two weeks time.
It was the first win over the Bulldogs since the 22 September 2012.
Head Coach Chris Mintern has made a big impact on the club over the past three seasons.
The Bulldogs will now play the Eastern Blues in a semi-final in the hope they make the Grand Final and finish off their three-peat.
Final Score:
University Cougars: 8.12: 60
Christchurch Bulldogs: 2.2: 14
Story – Canterbury AFL
