Bulldogs battle it out in bleak conditions

Seniors

Seeing the Reserves struggle in the conditions had those onlookers who made the trip in the bleak conditions more than a bit nervous.

Not for long though as a quick centre break, deep forward entry and a Maradonna type swing in mid-air from Zac Vernon for a major inside the first minute left the crowding with gaping mouths.
Another centre break and a strong mark dead in front by Max Blake 30 seconds later was looking ominous but he failed to convert what would have been a perfect start.
Cora Lynn had plenty of the play and scoring opportunities but were off target.

Levi Robinson made them pay with a lovely run off half back and an inspirational goal.
Cora Lynn steadied with a major late in the term, but inaccuracy had then trailing the Bulldogs at quarter time 19-10.
The third cyclone for the day greeted the commencement of the second quarter and conditions were difficult for the players.
Eli Richards was not letting down the faithful who had ventured to see his long-awaited return to the side as he was in fabulous touch.
First gamer Seamus Murphy boosted the dogs’ energy levels and what was to come was simply stunning.

A summary of the next 10 minutes belied the conditions.
Pederson pack mark and conversion at the 12 minute mark with a quick reply to Cora Lynn brought the margin back to 15 points.
Immediate reply to the bulldogs from Blake to steady with strong work from Kimber to Pederson for latter’s second for the quarter.
A purple patch by Noah Bee-Hickman sees Al Dyker get on the end of one six inches out and the dogs were looking pretty handy at the main break, leading 52-18.
The only downside was a head knock to Billy Taylor. An accidental collision with a teammate put Billy into La La land and finished him for the day – and likely taken him off the brush and confined him to rolling walls for a couple of days.

Coach Beau Vernon asked the boys for continued effort in the second half to deny Cora Lynn the opportunity to re-enter the contest.
Next minute ELI! the wiz puts the dogs 40 points the better.
Cora Lynn was trying to claw their way back but the fourth cyclone of the day and a Zac Vernon mark and conversion saw the dogs 45 point leaders nine minutes in.
Noah Bee-Hickman found Pederson and a rare miss from the set shot, albeit from the boundary with a 210kph cross wind was quickly forgotten as Max Blake again separated the big sticks, sending the dogs to the final break leading 72-26.

The final quarter saw the bullies continue on their way.
An early major to Nick Anderson kept up the momentum. Eli, Kimber, Zac Vernon and let’s not forget the defenders. Jase Tomada was doing a sterling job on the opposition gun forward, ably supported by Damian Holmes, Al Officer and Daniel Pearce’s experience was showing and assisting the emergence of the likes of Levi Robinson and Tarquin McMillan.
Too many good players to mention so I’ll just mentions one;
ELI! 13 minutes in. ELI! 16 minutes in. Put the dogs 64 points in front late in the quarter. THE WIZZ IS BACK!
Youngster Orlando KG finished them off late and the boys ran out brilliant and convincing 70 point winners against quality opposition.

Good signs.
Scores:
Phillip Island: 3.1.19, 8.4.52, 11.6.72, 15.8.98
Cora Lynn: 1.4.10, 2.6.18, 3.8.26, 3.10.28
Goals: Max Blake 4, Wizz Richards 3, Zac Vernon 2, Cameron Pedersen 2, Orlando Kane-Gillard, Nick Anderson, Alex Duyker, Levi Robinson
Best Players: Brendan Kimber, Daniel Pearce, Cameron Pederson, Wizz Richards, Damien Holmes, Max Blake

Reserves

Not a great day for the two’s and quite a reality check that if you’re not on your game early, it slips away pretty quickly.
In very ordinary conditions, literally polar opposite to the previous week, Cora Lynn caught our boys napping and the game had all but slipped out of reach by quarter time.

Even worse at half time, Zach Wagner was leading the way for the bulldogs, but in the absence of a number of usual ‘mainstays’ he did not have a lot of support.
Cora Lynn was leading the way in all areas and showing our boys a clean set of heels.

The second half, and in particular the third term saw a more determined attitude and serious attempt to get back into the game.
A third quarter goal showed promise to be within a few goals but a steadier for Cora Lynn before the last change hurt the bulldogs’ momentum.

The final quarter saw Cora Lynn regain a full head of steam and finished over the top of our boys full of running.
Not much of a match summary but in reality is there wasn’t much to highlight, but 13 days is a long time in footy (certainly longer than the normal seven!), so probably best for this one to be forgotten and re-boot for Round 3.

Early days yet.
Scores:
Cora Lynn: 3.1.19, 6.3.39, 8.3.51, 10.6.66
Phillip Island: 0.2.2, 0.3.3, 1.5.11, 1.6.12 
Goals: Dale Larkin
Best Players: Arie Cook, Hamish Harrison, Zack Wagner, Josh Simpson, Luke Glossop, John McLachlan

Under 18s
The Under 18s took the field in what appeared to be improving conditions after the trying conditions the 16s played in.
The first quarter opened with an even contest, but eventually the PI boys took control.

Goals to Liam Dayson, Will Taylor-Eagles and Jett McMillian saw the lead move out to 20 points.
The second and third quarters progressed through bright sunshine, interspersed cyclone rated winds and hail so heavy that the umpires reported being close to heading off!

In these mad conditions, the PI boys continued to extend their lead despite stiff resistance from the opposition.
Tom Aylett led the charge well supported by Lochlan Hill and Tom Niven, and by the end of the second cyclone – ahh, third quarter – the lead had extended to 52 points.

The last quarter saw conditions ease back to extreme winter, with the PI team continuing to extend their lead.
Jack Pappas and Hayden Smith seemed to move as if they had some form of sail guiding them through the heavy wind conditions, with the bulldogs sailing through and to an excellent win.

Scores:
Phillip Island: 3.4.22, 5.7.37, 7.13.55, 11.16.82 
Cora Lynn: 0.2.2, 0.3.3, 0.3.3, 0.4.4
Goals: Will Taylor-Eagles 4, Jack Papas 2, Liam Dayson 2, Tom. Aylett, Ben Taylor, Jett McMillan.
Best Players: Hayden Smith, Jude Grace, Ben Taylor, Tom Niven, Lochlan Hill, Will Taylor-Eagles

Under 16s

Weather more suited to July greeted the Under 16 bulldogs as they arrived at the Cora Lynn rec reserve.
After a close win last week against the Panthers the coaching staff were hopeful of a 2 and 0 start to the season.

Kicking with the wind after winning the toss, the boys started well, tenaciously forcing the ball forward resulting in a lovely goal to Brady Ross. Cora Lynn replied quickly and rain turned the rest of the first quarter into a real slog.

Q/Time: Cora Lynn 1.2 to P.I. 1.1

The second quarter started brilliantly as Zac Walker kicked a long goal into the wind after marking strongly.
It was great to hear Zac back in the team after injury and the boys all got around him.

Cora Lynn again hit back and with the Phillip Island backline pressing up Cora Lynn got a further two cheap goals for the quarter.
With Max Arceo playing well on the wing and Finn Cashman prominent up forward the Dogs scrambled a few points into the wind to be just behind at halftime.
Having said that, the backline led by Leo Savona held up well under pressure in the tough conditions.

Half Time Cora Lynn 4.3 to PI 2.4

The third quarter saw the Dogs start well with Ollie Hibbert hard at the ball as always giving the Dogs great drive out of the centre.
In a great passage of play Kohen Beaumont, off half back kicked to Brady Ross who delivered a perfect pass to Finn Cashman who goaled to see the Dogs within a kick of the Cobras.
After that goal the remainder of the quarter turned into a real arm wrestle.
The Bulldogs persistence and teamwork was fantastic as they kept forcing the ball forward and repelling many attacks from Cora Lynn, restricting them to only one behind for the quarter.

Three quarter time Cora Lynne 4.4 to PI 3.6

Although only four points down the task ahead for the Dogs was going to be extremely hard but you would not know it when Lucas Chihotski laid a bone crunching tackle forcing a turn over to Jack Johnston who thumped the ball forward where Alex Barbati snapped a great goal to put the Dogs in front.
Cora Lynn quickly replied and although the Dogs threatened they could not hit the scoreboard.
The backline were fighting hard but couldn't prevent another goal to the Cobras.
Working hard into the wind the Bulldogs bravely forced the ball forward and Zac Walker kicked a great snap goal to get the dogs, again within reach.

In the end the conditions and costly turnovers proved too much for the Dogs, I'm sure the coaching staff would be well pleased with the efforts of all the boys on a tough day. 
Scores:
Cora Lynn: 1.2.8, 4.3.27, 4.4.28, 7.10.52 
Phillip Island: 1.1.7, 2.4.16, 3.6.24, 5.6.36
Goals: Zak Walker 2, Brady. Ross, Alex Barbati, Finn Cashman.
Best Players: Zak Walker, Brady Ross, Finn Cashman, Ollie Hibbert, Kohen Beaumont