A visit to the ‘MCG’ of the West Gippsland FNC on Saturday didn’t disappoint.
The ground at Garfield was its usual magnificent self, completely defying all the recent rain, revealing a surface that was just perfect.
A great day of country football beckoned, despite the significant differences between the teams on the relative ladders.
The Garfield FNC were also working hard to raise awareness and funding for Breast Cancer Australia, with special attire for the netballers and pink socks for the footballers.
A great cause that the Bulldogs were more than happy to support wherever possible.
Seniors
Many changes again for the Bulldogs this week.
Experienced defenders Damien Holmes and Jason Tomada were joined by Tarquin McMillan in the backline, whilst Cameron Brown and Jack Papas returning to the forward line, the latter after an unfortunate vehicle accident saw Noah Bee-Hickman a late withdrawal.
Jack Opitz returned to the Seniors as well.
Still fielding eight players under 21, the youthfulness of the Bulldogs was offset by the Garfield Stars with many young players making up their improving list.
The Bulldogs took the spirit of the occasion to heart, offering our Pink matchday footballs for the Breast Cancer support day – an offer whole-heartedly accepted by Garfield after the rejection of said balls by another unnamed club earlier in the year.
In perfect conditions at the start, the game was to be competitive all day, with the young Stars pushing the Bulldogs in all aspects.
With the pink ball flying, it looked as though the Bulldogs were finding the ball slippery and difficult to handle, the opposite of the Stars who seemed far more assured with their ball movement.
After an early arm wrestle, the Bulldogs were able to gain more forward presence and penetration. With Max Blake dominant, and Jack (twinkle toes) Taylor dancing through the forward line and goaling, the Bulldogs hit quarter time with a 21-7 lead.
The ruck rotations of Pedersen, Bourke and Jai Jordan took over in the second, feeding the midfield being led by Hayden Bruce and causing a lot of problems for the Garfield defence.
Goals early in the second to Pedersen and Jai (after a wonderful interception from a Garfield kick-out) were the highlights until Max Blake stepped up with a strong mark and goal from 50.
The Stars wouldn’t give in and found a goal with a strong mark from Lachie Spinks and things tightened.
Then some more Taylor magic – this time from Billy Taylor – and the Bulldogs entered the half time break 49-17 up.
After something of a lecture from coach Pedersen on ground at half time, the Bulldogs started even more slowly, with Lachie Spinks stepping up for his second, and a difference of just 26 points.
Suddenly something clicked for the Bulldogs.
Max Blake hit the goals and then back man turned forward Mark (Griffo) Griffin took a couple of great marks – the first of which was kicked like a back-man, but then a beautiful goal conversion following soon after.
Ben Taylor showed that dancing feet ran in the Taylors line, resulting in a goal.
Cam Pedersen continued dominating, Bryce Hindhaugh stepped in, and Daniel Bourke put the final nail in the third quarter coffin for the Stars.
A 92-23 lead at three quarter time seemed fair.
The last stanza opened with a typical Victorian winter weather blast.
The wind dropped, rain came in, sun came back, and the wind picked up again – all in a matter of five minutes.
The apparently slightly slippery pink ball became a piece of soap, with ball-handling dropping away.
The Bulldogs managed to kick a couple more goals, whilst the Stars were able to maintain their consistency with a single goal, thereby scoring a goal in every quarter.
With a final margin of 83 points, the Bulldogs will now enter the bye this week jumping back into second place on the WGFNC ladder.
The break will be about gearing up for an all-important 2 v 3 clash at the Kennel against Tooradin in two weeks’ time!
Scores:
Phillip Island: 3.3.21, 7.7.49, 13.14.92, 16.17.113.
Garfield: 1.1.7, 2.5.17, 3.5.23, 4.6.30.
Goals:
Phillip Island: Cameron Pedersen – 4, Max Blake -3, Daniel Bourke, Kai Mackenzie – 2.
Garfield: Angus Emery, Mark Griffiths, Jahmain Harrison, Lachie Spinks – 1.
Best Players:
Phillip Island: Mark Griffin, Hayden Bruce, Cameron Pedersen, Jack Taylor, Billy Taylor, Max Blake.
Garfield: Joel Batson, Jack Barnes, Jack Tenace-Greenall, Finn Hower, Christopher Diston, Zac Souta.
