Fifth last season, they outlasted the previously undefeated Centrals 17.10 (112) to 12.11 (83), booting the last five goals after Centrals had edged ahead by one point on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at Cazalys.
Last year the Bulldogs were the league’s whipping boys, but this year they are playing a brand of footy worth the price of admission.
But the Lions showed they will be a force too, running over the top of the Dogs after duking it out in a tight second half that has put last season’s top three Saints, Port Douglas and South Cairns on notice.
“It was a special moment (on Anzac Day) to be playing and the game was certainly played in the spirit,” Tootell said.
“It was a massive win for the team and as a club; Centrals have been the yardstick this season so I think the team now realizes what they can do.”
Centrals started well with the wind, up by 26 points at the first break, before the Lions powered ahead by 11 points in a six-goal second quarter.
Duncan Seden put his case forward for goal of the year before the main break, busting several tackles before unloading from 50m and clearing the pack in the goalmouth.
Centrals did not go away though, and as the wind died down in the second half it became a truly even contest. The Lions forward pressure told though, their men smothering on more than one occasion and able to capitalize with six points when the opportunities presented.
“We had been talking about converting our opportunities better and it was good to see us kick fairly straight,” Tootell said. Centrals entered on a high after knocking off Port Douglas last weekend in one of the club’s biggest wins in the last few years.
“It was an entertaining game and the Lions boys probably just stuck to their structure a bit better,” Bulldogs coach Heath Mitchell said.
“They have pace and precision and their best players all played well.”
Tootell said his side had the fitness edge after watching the power away in the closing stages, and Mitchell tended to agree.
“We rated our fitness but they showed we might have a bit of work to do,” the coach said.
Article Courtesy of Murray Wenzel The Cairns Post
Last Modified on 27/04/2015 16:54