A mouthwatering contest was upon us, only one point could separate the two teams in their past two matches. Phillip Island traveled down to Nar Nar Goon for their Round 1 clash. It was evident at the start of the game that the Goon were a very solid and tall side compared to the island.
The first quarter started and it was clear that the Goon had come to play, their attack on the ball, speed of overlap run and tall targets forward were going to be difficult tasks to overcome.
The island boys were using the ball well from half back but as they pressed forward the Goon were able to run the ball out with ease with their superior work rate. Still, the island boys cracked in but found themselves down 2-16 at quarter one.
The second quarter rolled in and the Goon flexed their muscles, kicking six goals, one to the island's one-goal-one to take a commanding lead going into the half 53-9.
The Bulldogs repelled attack after attack until the dam wall broke allowing the Goon to take hold of the game.
Half time came and it was a much-needed break for the island to regroup and move the magnets around, Captain Jack moved forward, Jesse Patullo back, first gamer Yianni was thrown into the middle to help stem the flow. The island came out with a new fire in their belly lead by hard at it Youle, Charlie and Hayden Bruce and accompanied by Max Walton the island was able to match and win the quarter two-goals-three to two-goals-two.
Daniel Pearce moved down back and steadied the ship along with Damien Holmes.
Three quarter time score 67-24.
The last quarter arrived with the island playing for pride, insert Mark Griffin the ever-reliable back man was thrown into the midfield, he set the tone for the boys with his attack on the ball.
Daniel Bourke continued to get his hand to the ball through stoppages as the Bulldogs evened up the contest again.
Kai Mackenzie was back to his best running off the half back line and the forward pressure from Connor Thompson was distinct with his ferocious tackling.
The island had two debutants to make it four for the season so far, plenty of things to like and good learnings to come from the game. In the end it was not the island's day, who were outworked by a well drilled Nar Nar Goon team who look to be the benchmark for this season.
Scores: Phillip Island: 0.2.2, 1.3.9, 3.6.24, 7.8.50. Nar Nar Goon: 2.4.16, 8.5.53, 10.7.67, 15.9.99.
Goals: Phillip Island: Aaron Harris - 2, Charlie Bruce, Mark Griffin, Billy Taylor, Connor Thompson and Max Walton - 1. Nar Nar Goon: Dermott Yawney - 5, Jake Smith - 3, Matthew Homfray, Tex Marsham - 2, Trent Armour, Harrison Brain and Jed Murphy - 1.
Best players: Phillip Island: Daniel Bourke, Jaymie Youle, Mark Griffin, Jack Taylor, Charlie Bruce and Yianni Caffieri. Nar Nar Goon: Trent Armour, Tex Marsham, Jake Smith, Harrison Brain, Ryan Bromley and Dermott Yawney.
