Reserves finals dream fades with wayward kicking

The preliminary final was upon us, the Reserves were primed and ready to go after knocking off Inverloch the week before in a great display.

The sun was out and Dalyston had the ground and courts in pristine condition.

The Island came out firing with tremendous speed and intensity at the ball and man.

The tackling pressure was through the roof, there was a genuine hunger that was infectious.

The Island kicking into a 2-3 goal wind showed poise and great ball movement but could not convert resulting in three behinds for the quarter. Quarter time: Tooradin 9 to Island 3.

Shortly after the second quarter had started the Island kicked their first goal, the ball was living in the Bulldogs' forward but poor kicking for the quarter only registered one goal and four behinds.

The premiership quarter was upon us and the Bulldogs were full of run.

Finlay Cousins was very influential all game showcasing his skill – a willingness to put his head over the football.

Ben Taylor was finding space and using the ball well, Brayden Kleverkamp – the swing man – was thrown into the middle to aid the always impressive Tom Macrokanis.

A real arm wrestle was evident for the third quarter with the Bulldogs applying pressure and moving the ball well into the wind.

The Bulldogs registered two goals and a further three behinds. This showed a disappointing three goals 10 behinds going into the last with a slim six-point lead.

Coaches, James Nicolaci, Kev Taylor and Dean Blake spoke to the boys at three quarter time, reminding them they earnt their spot to be there, and belief was high.

The Bulldogs hit the lead for the first time of the game.

The Island had the wind in the last and it all looked set to be the fourth Island team in the Grand Final.

Inside 50 after inside 50, the Island sent it forward and two quick points followed, with the score line reading an ugly three goals 12. Was this going to come back and bite them?

Tooradin pushed the ball forward and levelled the scores.

A down field free kick moments later, and Tooradin kicked another goal to take a three-point lead.

An unnecessary delay in retrieving the ball back from the Tooradin goal cost the Bulldogs around 30 seconds with no time on.

Centre bounce with 30 seconds left, Island win the ball through Jay Ladson, he drives the ball to 15 metres out, the ball spills off hands and Tooradin dive on the ball, the whistle has been put away.

The ball is thrown up at the top of the goal square and the siren sounds.

Heartbreak, the Bulldogs have had seven more scoring shots but have lost the game by three points.

What a season from a young talented side that have bright futures ahead.

The development of players and the fact that the Seniors have had 39 players this year with 12 debutants is a testament to the strength of the Island.

Scores: Phillip Island: 0.3.3, 1.7.13, 3.10.28, 3.14.32. Tooradin Dalmore: 1.3.9, 1.4.10, 3.4.22, 5.5.35.

Goals: Phillip Island: Nick Anderson – 2 and Ben Taylor – 1. Tooradin Dalmore: Julian Suarez – 2, Nicholas Lang, Athony Mirauta and Oliver Sail – 1.

Best players: Phillip Island: Finlay Cousins, Connor Thompson, Brayden Kleverkamp, Thomas Macrokanis, Nick Anderson and Ethan Michaelides. Tooradin Dalmore: Jack Grist, Nicholas Lang, Ray Lengyel, Jake O'Donnell, Julian Suarez and Joshua Cope.