Bulldogs pull the
plug on Power surge
The third
division UNSW-ES Bulldogs overcame a first quarter lapse to crush the Southern
Power by 72 points during their Round Nine clash at Gwawley Oval at the
weekend.
The Power got
the jump on the visitors in the first term, successfully running in numbers and
slamming on two quick goals in the early stages.
Taken aback
by the rapid start, the Bulldogs gradually cranked into gear, led by an
exciting 360 degree swivel goal by on-baller, Mark “Dicko” Dixon and some high-marking antics by Patrick
“Laser” Beams.
(Off the turps, Beams was a crowd
pleaser)
The Power
repeatedly crowded the Dogs’ forward lines to frustrate the visitors’ response
but proved inaccurate in front of their own goals and failed to ram home the
advantage.
The Dogs were
prepared for such a contingency and had a few “insurance policies” on the
bench.
“Handy Andy”
Boehm, enjoying a fantastic year for the club, was dispatched to the backlines
to assist and didn’t set a foot wrong all day.
(Boehmy thought he was back at
full-forward)
He replaced a
heavily concussed, Mick Martin, who apparently started the game, not
knowing what day it was.
Assisted by
the miserly Michael “Paxy” Paxman, the mobile Niall “Denial” O’Leanachain, a
storming Wes “Three Dads” Blundy Gow-Brown and a sweeping Chris Peters, the
backline got back into the groove that has seen it concede just 231 points in
seven games.
At the other
end, Ben “Camo” Camilleri was thrown into a forward pocket to combat the
Power’s congestion tactics and it worked a treat.
His return to
the thirds this year was delayed by injury and the blonde-haired speedster was
aching to make an impact.
By game’s
end, the pocket dynamo, fed well from the half-forward line, had booted six.
The “Big Cat”
Casey Stephens had trouble making marks stick but still finished with four as
the Bulldogs rant rampant over the home side in the last half.
(The Big Cat feeling the pressure from Pete
Graham, kicked four)
Dicko, Dan
“David Lee” Roth, Ryan “Tumbler” Pike and Anthony “Spaghetti-head” Tomasiello
were unstoppable, propelling the ball down to Stephens, Camilleri, Brad Humphry
and Andrew Wise, while Joshy Edwards shored up the defence, declaring a pocket
his own in the final term.
(Pike got sick of being left out of
the highlights)
The Power
also struggled to contain the Bulldogs skipper, David “Robocop” Backler, his
courage typified by a hotly contested mark where the challenging defender came
off second best.
(Rule one: if you take on Backler,
prepared to be hurt)
The Dogs have
taken their tally to seven from seven, or for the bulk of the side, from last
year…23 from 27, with 820 points For and a percentage of 354.
(Mat James took the “aerial ballet”
jibes too literally)
There are
still a few challenges ahead though, starting next week with last year’s SFA
Second grade premiers, Pennant Hills, at the V-G.
Selection is
sure to be a tough affair with Warren
“Swanny” Swanson back from injury and five goals in the fours, a fired up John
“Hooky” Hook and a returning Shane Powell among those vying for third grade
spots.
(Tomasiello provided marking lessons
on the wing)
Final scores:
UNSW-ES Bulldogs – 17.9.111
Southern Power - 5.9.39
Goals:
Camilleri 6, Stephens 4, Dixon
3, Humphry 3, Wise.
Best: Dixon, Roth, Boehm, Pike,
Backler, Camilleri.
Next week, we
may not be able to drop any players to the fours due to support role
commitments at home (to discuss at training).
The DVD from
the Power game is now available at $5 a copy.
Last Modified on 23/07/2009 08:13