Reserves fight in tough battle against Seagulls

After a welcome week off for the mid-season bye, it was back into it this week for the Bulldogs in the critical clashes against archrivals Tooradin.

With both clubs well entrenched in the top six across all football grades, it promised to be a tantalising day of community football at the Kennel.

Pity that the weather gods were not smiling on the day!

After a welcome break of fine and clear weather in the preceding days – offering the opportunity to firm up the condition of the ground – the wind returned with a vengeance on Friday night.

Running into Saturday morning combined with regular showers, it was likely that the wild, windy weather would have a large influence on the day results – something that was to be borne out!

Reserves

With a bunch of players returning from last game’s seniors, combined with several players returning from injury, the Bulldogs were fielding a much stronger reserves side than in recent weeks.

It was going to be needed as well, with the Tooradin reserves sitting firmly at the top of the ladder having not lost a game since 2021!

Things started in wild windy conditions, with the occasional rather unwelcome rain shower.

Conditions couldn’t have been any more unpleasant, and it looked like the visitors’ unbeaten run was going to continue relatively easily early on.

The Gulls were able to put a couple of quick goals on the board.

A strong defensive effort towards the end of the first – led by Noah Bee-Hickman and Coby Olarenshaw brought the Bulldogs back into it.

The second eerily resembled the first – similar conditions, similar onslaught in the tough conditions from the visitors and another couple of goals.

Nothing much was happening up forward for the Bulldogs, with Leon Matthews and the returning Sam McRae holding back the green and red tide.

Coach Kev Taylor wasn’t that impressed at the half time break, imploring a greater effort from his charges.

That stirring address appeared to work wonders; the Bulldogs really took the challenge up to the visitors in the second half.

Ruckmen Rocket McKenzie and his side-kick Saxon Mau took over in the middle, Tully Dickie combined with the aforementioned duo of Noah and Coby and all of a sudden it was the visitors on the backfoot.

Tyce Kleverkamp was a livewire up forward as the Bulldogs pounded the ball forward at every opportunity.

In the end, it was accuracy at the goals that was to be the difference, with the Gulls scoring five goals from their six scoring shots, as opposed to the Bulldogs’ two goals from seven scoring shots being the deciding factor.

Nevertheless, an encouraging effort providing an excellent base to move forward towards the finals!

Scores:
Phillip Island: 0.0.0, 0.1.1, 2.1.13, 2.5.17.
Tooradin-Dalmore: 2.0.12, 4.0.24, 5.1.31, 5.1.31.

Goals:
Phillip Island: Tully Dickie and James Nicolaci 1.
Tooradin-Dalmore: Adam Galea, Jake Genoni, Jacob Lesjak, Ben Sellings and Jason Siegel 1.

Best Players:
Phillip Island: Noah Bee-Hickman, Coby Olarenshaw, Leon Matthews, James Nicolaci and Tully Dickie.
Tooradin-Dalmore: Mitch Forgiarini, Jake Genoni, Adam Galea, James Wheeler, Brett Coffey and Corey Provan.