Nirranda forward James Dalton might well have taken that lesson away from the Blues’ 55-point victory against Panmure at Panmure on Saturday.

The Blues emerged with a 18.10 (118) to 9.9 (63) win to break their season duck after a first-up loss to Dennington.

But the scoreline alone does little justice to a game-changing burst in the third term  — and Dalton was central to the story. 

Panmure had slashed a 8.4-to-3.4 half-time deficit to a solitary point by that stage with the first five majors of the third quarter.

Coach David Haynes had booted the first two, both from set shots after superb dash from Shamus O’Beirne off half-back.

The excellent Shaun Griffin grabbed the next, getting on the end of a chain of handballs following a Sam Mahony interception.

Tom Mahony then entered the fray. His two majors — both from free kicks, the second with the benefit of a 50-metre penalty — put the Bulldogs within a kick.

Everything was going their way, including a 19-9 free-kick tally for the term. The momentum shift would not last as the Blues struck back.

Dalton had teased Blues fans in the first half, presenting and competing well but lacking the polish to back up his unquestioned endeavour.

But his accurate shot from a tricky angle late in the third term, set up with a Ben Ludeman pass, represented the single most important action of the match.

He again took centre stage minutes later with two more crowd-lifting goals to end the term, the first a set shot and the second a snap.

The scoreboard read 11.7 to 8.7 as the siren wailed. The Blues were on the ropes 10 minutes earlier but instead had breathing space.

They kicked the first four goals of the final term and finished with 10 of the last 11 to ultimately win comfortably.

But the ease at which they ran away with the contest was testament to Dalton, who booted four all up and was the catalyst of the momentum swing. “He’s the sort of bloke who can turn a game on its head just like that,” Blues coach Aidan Cole said.

“He might look a little bit awkward out there when he’s moving around but it’s a credit to him. He works hard at what he wants to do.

“When he doesn’t get done what he wants to do he’s at the track on Tuesday and Thursday working on it.

“Him and Jesse Dalton, they ended up kicking 2.9 between them (in round one). They were pretty disappointed in themselves but you’re going to have those days.”

Dalton was far from the only contributor for Nirranda and others were more consistent over four quarters.

John Paulin and Josh Irving racked up touches on the wings while Ludeman, Dylan Lees, Jack Spokes and Jason Lee were prominent in the clinches.

Michael Foster also bobbed up with four goals at important times. His fourth was a spectacular effort out of mid-air in the last quarter.

Full-back Luke Parsons enjoyed an immense battle with Haynes, the most entertaining one-on-one duel for the day. Honours were even until three-quarter-time and Haynes, who kicked three goals, sat out the last term but both were key contributors for their side.

Tom White was easily the Bulldogs’ best, dominating at stoppages. Griffin, Sam Mahony and Paddy Mahony were also admirable throughout.

afawkes@fairfaxmedia.com.au