Big day out for Reserves - PI vs KB

After pouring rain all day Friday it was expected the Kennel would be somewhat muddy for the arch-rivals clash between Phillip Island and Kilcunda-Bass.

Somewhat surprisingly, Saturday dawned bright and sunny with a good wind, just perfect for drying out the ground!

Without the Under 16s clash this week due to the visitors unable to field a team for 2023, the ground received a break with no game until 10.30am.

Perfect for the weather gods to continue to dry the ground out, resulting in all games taking place in amazingly good conditions.

So, the surprises began for the day before a ball was bounced.

Reserves

The Bulldogs Reserves entered the game this week with 2022 preliminary final hero Orlando Kane-Gillard (Noosh) playing his first game for the 2023 season and veteran Todd Cleeland coming out of retirement again!

Ben Taylor back from the seniors was in, as was Ben Strong for his second game of the season.

With the Panthers needing to fill their reserves side with at least eight Under 18s, they were always going to be up against it.

Bulldogs’ coach James Nicolaci was revved up before the game, having an excellent record against the boys from Bass over the years.

And so, it was to continue.

Dominating in the first half saw the Bulldogs inaccurate but leading 65-2 at half time.

Young onballers Noah Bee-Hickman, Ben Taylor and Cooper Logan took complete control.

Tully Dickie and Tom Aylett in defence/wing continued to impress, and Noosh looking as though he had never missed any footy at all.

But it was coach Nicolaci in the forward line having another day out with four goals (and a bunch of behinds) who was most outstanding!

Then the second half.

It was Nico-time at the Kennel as he took complete control of the scoring, kicking six big ones for a total of 10 by three quarter time.

Ably assisted by Jett McMillan doing an outstanding job in the ruck, onballers dominating, the visitors could do nothing to stem the tide.

With Nico moving back to on-ball the last, it was up to others to score, and they did with Tyce Kleverkamp, Jesse Patullo, Noosh and Ben Taylor amongst others scoring at will.

A final scoreline of 162-2, with a 160-point margin was ultimately a fair reflection of the gulf between the two teams.

Scores:
Phillip Island: 5.7.37, 9.11.65, 16.13.109, 24.18.162. Kilcunda-Bass: 0.0.0, 0.2.2, 0.2.2, 0.2.2

Goals:
Phillip Island: James Nicolaci – 10, Orlando Kane-Gillard, Ben Taylor – 3, Jett McMillan, Jesse Patullo – 2.

Best Players:
Phillip Island: Orlando Kane-Gillard, Tom Aylett, Noah Bee-Hickman, Ben Taylor, James Nicolaci, Tully Dickie. Kilcunda-Bass: Gerard Giacco, Jordan Osborne, Owen Thomas, Robert Taylor, Joshua Ryan, Ashden Grenness.