Feathers fly as Bulldogs outclass Magpies - Reserves

For the TAC Safety round, players took to the field wearing a blue armband.

The bands serve as a remind that we all have a responsibility to drive safely and are in honour of every life lost on the roads.

Reserves

A luxury for the Bulldogs Reserves saw team selection having to rest a few players for this week, with the list settling and senior players returning to the fold.

Up against the lowly Dalyston reserves, it was hoped that Bulldogs could turn this one into a strong percentage-increasing victory.

In what turned into a strong win, the plucky Magpies were to push the Bulldogs to the end, even scoring more in their last quarter than for the rest of the game.

Nevertheless, coaches Nicolaci and Taylor were reasonably happy in the end, with the Bulldogs running out victors 90-22.

It was the Bulldogs’ youngsters who were to lead the charge for the game.

Tully Dickie continued his barnstorming form since returning from injury, closely followed by Noah Bee-Hickman back from a couple of weeks off.

Both these boys continue to impress and present for senior selection adding to the depth of the Bulldogs.

Some others of note in the strong win included Saxon Mau in the ruck, who goes from strength to strength with every outing. Kirby Fuller was fantastic down back – and is now back to his best after being sidelined with injury earlier in the season.

Coby Olarenshaw also continued to impress in the middle pressing for potential senior recall.

Tyce Kleverkamp continued to present up forward after a week off, finishing with his best return of the year of five goals (which could have been more).

The ‘old guard’ of the reserves continued to support the young guns.

Dean (General) Blake showed his significant value in experience and skills, Jarrod Witnish continued to impress with his return, and veteran Rocket Rod McKenzie working superbly with coach Nicolaci in the mid-field.

In the end, a 68-point victory was a fair reflection on an excellent performance from the reserves.

Now entrenched in fourth place, and with tough games coming up against seventh placed Warragul and sixth placed Cora Lynn, the opportunity to test against fellow finals contenders presents.

Scores:
Phillip Island: 3.3.21, 7.8.50, 9.10.64, 13.12.90. Dalyston: 0.1.1, 1.1.7, 1.2.8, 3.4.22.

Goals:
Phillip Island: Tyce Kleverkamp – 5, Harry Anderson – 3, Saxon Mau – 2, Coby Olarenshaw, Darcy Saw, Dylan Susic – 1. Dalyston: Stewart Beaumont, Max Chisholm, Zachary Storry – 1.

Best Players:
Phillip Island: Tully Dickie, Noah Bee-Hickman, Tyce Kleverkamp, Kirby Fuller, Coby Olarenshaw, Saxon Mau. Dalyston: Troy Alford, Zachary Storry, Ben McRae, Jake Woolan, Brodie Senior-Gibson, Shay Davis.