The pundits were wrong when they wrote off the Bulldogs at the Jube on Saturday. At quarter time the Bulldogs led 2-5 to 0-4 and as the teams huddled Jayden Kelly took the lead and said "that's what its like to wear the North guernsey lads, you put your head over the footy and stay on the line"
And boy did Kelly set the scene with 4 quarters of hard running, smart footy to rival Quinten Beaven (pictured)for BOG honours. North's may have been missing 1/2 their GF team but it did not show as the senior core led by example destroying what was a super young Robins team. In defence Matt Dempster was outstanding with Matt Garrick just cool calm and classy running the lines out of defence.
In attack Tobias Hack looked the goods from the square with only a 2-6 return spoiling what could have been a 5 goal haul. Kale Grundy slipped back into CHF with ease and at 21 ish he is primed for a big year.
Then there's Wes Burton or is that Bes(t) Burton. Fatherhood has done him the world of good as he was on a mission to play a blinder for the tinlid! Burton has often played HF or HB but is a genuine midfielder in the mould of a Stevie J or a Chappy with hair!
The new kid in town Dylan Harris looks like a handy type, clean with the footy, brave and good overhead and with the bonus of being a left footer he always seems to have that extra second. A rookie Miners Cup nominee!
Speaking of Miners Cup Beavan was outstanding and has proven a big game player so can he be on the Bus for the June long weekend? He needs to want to be there!
The Bulldog kids were good , Trent Barraclough in particular. Mobile big men a real handy and along with Chad Spangler until injured they both gave Matt Nelson a good contest. Cohen Bates and Malcom Buckland will be back for more and Scott Mateer bobbed up for his first Bulldog goal and was mobbed!
Then there's the Bulldog Shinglebacks Brad Pressler and BJ. Sorry lads your too good just yet for the Lizards yet, run way too fast and use it too well!
For the Robins its a whole lot harder to find positives. Ty Andrews was their standout junior and Rylie McInnes lights up the game when he is on the dodge and weave. That said hitting a target needs to be the focus now! The two KINGS Liam and brent were OK and the Seniors Chad Ryan, Nelson and Nadan are always there or abouts......but on Saturdays effort the Robins were uncompetitive.
The up side is on the missing players Daniel Milne, Heath Harris, Cohen Pettitt, the arrival of Ben Perkins who will need to play CHF in this team and Jordan Tonkin is not a B grader! IF the likes of Teelow abd Cynan Smith get back on the park West will be stroinger and taller and back in the game.
For the Compettition's sake the Robin flag needs to fly with pride and passion next Saturday at the Alma or it might be a long year!
Last Modified on 06/04/2014 09:20