Doggies tied up at the Kennel - Seniors

Hmm, what’s happened to Autumn – rain, freezing winds, and predicted snowfalls down to the coast – this week’s game against Nar Nar Goon (the Gooners) heralded the beginning of winter in the first week of May. Go figure!

On arrival, the first different thing that many noted was the scoreboard all dressed in pink – as part of PIFNC getting behind the Shades of Pink charity established in 2017 by a group of ladies including Phillip Island’s own Sarah Pedersen.

Supporting initiatives for Breast Cancer services in Victoria, a magnificent luncheon was the highlight with all teams using one-off Breast Cancer Foundation game-balls and something special for the seniors!

It was fantastic to see both PI and NNG supporters getting behind this imitative, resulting in the Kennel resembling a sea of pink!

Well done by all involved including Sarah and her army of PIFNC volunteers assisting!

Seniors

Well, the different approach to the game continued in the Seniors rooms before the first bounce.

A one-off set of Pink-White-Blue jumpers, and pink socks set a different tone pre-game.

A mad scramble for jumpers that fitted resulted in an array of jumper number changes, but all was set after the pre-game addresses.

Special one-off pink balls were available for the Senior game – all part of the ongoing fund raising – but were unfortunately rejected by the NNG brains trust in favour of standard red balls.

Hard to fathom that one, as close inspection revealed the pink balls were perfect for the occasion.

Seems the pink ball maybe should have been used.

The first stanza was nothing but an arm wrestle, with numerous periods looking like a rolling-maul that one might see in a rugby game.

Hard defence, strong tacking and at times ordinary ball use prevailed from both teams in what were reasonable conditions.

In a complete turnaround from last week, the Bulldogs lacked the precision ball movement resembling more of what was seen against Inverloch in round two.

Wonder what the commentators thought – they must have been checking for more changes in the teams!

No goals at all in Q1 and the PI boys led 3-2 at quarter time.

Quarter 2 began as Q1 ended with seeming endless defence, until suddenly, the visitors found some forward rhythm and kicked the first major at the five-minute mark of the second!

Then in stepped young Trent Burgoyne – son of Port Adelaide premiership player Peter.

Looking a class above those around him, and finally comfortable with that should-have-been-pink-red ball, Trent led the Bulldogs a merry dance and suddenly, NNG had three goals by the 15-minute mark.

The Bulldogs regrouped and began to move the ball more fluently, but forward forays were resulting in sprayed opportunities.

After a frustrating half of football, the visitors led at the big break 29-6, with the Bulldogs showing no goals for a full half of football.

Q3 began with the visitors scoring first, until Max Blake decided enough was enough and stepped into the game.

A beautiful piece of body on body resulted in a mark, and the home team’s first goal coming nine minutes into the third.

Finally on the board, the game began to open with both sides moving the ball more efficiently.

Goals to Hayden (Pencil) Bruce – including once from at least 60 according to him after the game – saw the Bulldogs back in it and only 17 down.

Then disaster for the Bulldogs struck in the last two minutes of the quarter, with goals to NNG including one with three seconds left on the clock and that man Burgoyne bobbing up again.

So, after a much better quarter, the visitors lead had extended to 29 – 55 to 26.

Wholesale changes saw Daniel Bourke move central, Cam Pedersen to the forward line and Jessie Patullo to the backline. And wow what a change!

The Bulldogs started to win the ball from the centre stoppages, Max Walton took charge in the mid-field and things were on the up.

A goal to Eli Richards eight minutes in offered some hope, and then bang!

With Daniel Bourke dominating in the middle, Daniel Pearce totally in control in the back half, Cam Pedersen decided enough was enough.

Four piercing forward entries over 10 minutes, the coach taking marks and kicking four goals – including one ripper from at least 55 metres!

With five minutes to go, scores are level.

Another drive from the backline resulted in Pencil getting on the end of the forward thrust, and suddenly, its Bulldogs by six with two minutes to go.

Not to be outdone, the visitors forged forward in a stunning counterthrust and from nowhere a goal.

Scores level with 60 seconds of play left. Rugby-style scrums took over, and the siren sounded for a draw, with the scores locked on 63 apiece.

The mood post-game was upbeat, with the knowledge that two very ordinary quarters of football combined with one only average one is not good enough against top opposition – but at their best, the

Bulldogs can be irresistible, particularly in Pink!

Scores:
Phillip Island: 0.3.3, 0.6.6, 3.8.26, 9.9.63.
Nar Nar Goon: 0.2.2, 4.5.29, 8.7.55, 9.9.63.

Goals:
Phillip Island: Cameron Pedersen 4, Hayden Bruce 3, Max Blake 1, Eli Richards 1.
Nar Nar Goon: Trent Burgoyne 4.

Best Players:
Phillip Island: Cameron Pedersen, Hayden Bruce, Daniel Pearce, Daniel Bourke, Max Walton, Max Blake.
Nar Nar Goon: Jeconiah Peni, James Cairns, Flynn Parker, Eamon Trigg, Trent Armour, Trent Burgoyne.