Under lights at historic Henson Oval is one of the best fixtures in the Sydney AFL and this time it was the Bulldogs Premier Division taking on third placed Western Suburbs last Saturday evening, which was preceeded earlier by the Stingrays Division One up against the Western Wolves hoping to stay in touch with ladder leaders Sydney Uni and break clear of the chasing pack.
The stingers started the evening on the right note getting a comfortable but hard fought victory over the Wolves 10.9 (69) - 4.4 (28). It wasn't all smooth sailing as the Wolves put in a big first quarter effort to go to the break with both teams locked at 3.2 a piece, and a goalless second quarter saw the Stingrays head to the sheds in front 23-21.
But the second half saw UNSW-ES get on top and run away with the points, breaking the game open with a 3 goals to none third quarter. Hannah McIntosh booted home three goals whilst Courtney Gum played another fantastic game and has recently been selected to respresent the Melbourne Demons again in the AFL Women's match against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG on June 29. The win sees the 'rays head to the bye week at 4-1, a win and percentage behind Sydney Uni. They next play against Balmain Dockers in two weekends time, before getting a chance to atone for this seasons earlier loss against Sydney Uni at the VG on June 14.
Later Premier Division would suffer another defeat to the hands of Western Suburbs. It's been a frustrating month for the Bulldogs having now suffered five consecutive defeats despite being more than competitive in all games with the biggest margin in those losses only 31 points against Manly two weekends back.
This time Wests would take the four points with a 25-point margin; the final score reading 14.9 (93) - 10.8 (68). With Premier Division game this weekend after an unrequired wet weather round, a win in two weekends against Campbelltown is now essential to get the 2014 finals campaign back on track. At the moment Sydney Uni (14 points) and North Shore (12) are locked in a battle for fifth spot, and with both teams next game's against last year's grand finalists a next-up win could get the dogs within two points of the top five nearing the half way point of the competition.
Last Saturday's game didn't start well for the Bulldogs with the Magpies getting the early jump on the dogs, to lead 31-13 at quarter time before a fantastic second quarter fightback all but nullified the early pies advantage. The teams went to the long break with Wests holding a slender 8.3 (51) - 8.1 (49) lead; the accurate kicking at goal indicative of a high quality contest.
Unfortunately for the dogs, it was the Magpies who came out flying in the third quarter and really asserted themselves booting home 5 goals to 1. The dogs would throw themselves at the contest in the last - one final attempt to try and get some scoreboard pressure on Wests, but it wasn't to be with both sides only kicking 1 each in the last. Wests taking out the game 93-68. For the dogs James Pascoe was sensational booting five goals and was rewarded with selection in the Sydney AFL team of the week while Jeremy Daniher continued his brilliant form.
Bring on Campbelltown at the VG on June 1.
Last Modified on 20/05/2014 22:48