Reserves play close match against Cora Lynn

The fifth placed Bulldogs reserves saw a transformation in the team coming up against fourth placed Cora Lynn.

A spate of injuries across the reserves and under 18 teams meant that despite having played 50 players for the year so far, the Bulldogs were short of numbers.

Up stepped a string of ‘experienced’ gentlemen, including Rocket Rod McKenzie, veterans’ superstar Ben Hallas and none other than seniors line coach (and premiership superstar) Daniel Larsson, combined with the McMillan-3 (Sonny) up from the under 18s.

And what a great game the fans were to be able to witness.

The Cobras jumped the Bulldogs early, to lead in the first quarter, at which point the Bulldogs took over.

With superbly fluent footy in the second, Tyce Kleverkamp took control in the forward line.

With three goals in a row from Tyce, the Bulldogs were able to assume control in the centre led by the superb ruckwork of Jai Jordan playing just his second game for the year.

A half-time lead of 34-20 was just reward.

The third saw the content tighten after an early Bulldogs goal.

Young guns Coby Olarenshaw and Jack Opitz controlled the middle – clearly staking their claims for potential recall to the seniors, and Ben Hallas showed all why he is so highly regarded by his veterans teammates, seeming to have his own ball on a string.

Harry Anderson kicked his second, and the Bulldogs looked comfortable.

The Cobras kept coming and were able to score towards the end of the quarter, with a 49-32 margin looking relatively comfortable by the end of the third.

The last saw the Bulldogs show the effects of having a number of players with limited game time for
the year.

The Cobras pressed with a couple of goals, but old and young stepped up for the Bulldogs.

In a hectic final quarter, it was Leon Matthews, coach James Nicolaci, Daniel Larsson and Sonny

McMillan standing up in particular.

The final siren sounded with the Bulldogs three points up, a welcome relief to all, and an important win to move into fourth position on the ladder.

Scores:
Phillip Island: 0.3.3, 5.4.34, 7.7.49, 7.8.50. Cora Lynn: 2.0.12, 3.2.20, 5.2.32, 7.5.47.

Goals:
Phillip Island: Tyce Kleverkamp 3, Harry Anderson 2, Dean Blake and Rodney McKenzie 1. Cora Lynn: Josh Wilson 2, Dylan Ross and Liam Taylor 1

Best Players:
Phillip Island: Jai Jordan, Ben Hallas, Jack Opitz, Leon Matthews, Tyce Kleverkamp and Harry Anderson. Cora Lynn: Thomas Arnett, Liam Taylor, Sean Wilson, Tory Drew and Sadaris Gardner Lefau.