A massive weekend at the Village Green started on Saturday morning with the Division Five boys facing a big test against competition leaders the Nor-West Jets. The Jets have been the clear best team all year coming in with a 7-1 record and a percentage of 303. The mid table doggies knew they'd have to be at their best not to suffer the same fate some other teams had so far this year, but the boys came well switched on.
This was evident as the Bulldogs made the early running having the vast majority of early ball and were duly rewarded with the first goal of the game. With slight persistant rain during the first quarter the Nor West boys slowly started to get some possession and their cleaner foot skills showed why they are the team to beat. But some dogged defence and good tackling kept the score in check - The jets went to the first break in front 13-9.
The second quarter was a similarly rugged affair as the rain get slightly heavier. The Bulldogs - and both teams it should be said - continued to throwselves at the contest with no other aim then getting the four points for the club. The Jets extended their lead slightly, going to half time leading 4.7 (31) to 2.3 (15) - six second quarter behinds no doubt helping the dogs to stay in the contest.
Coming back from the main break it was imperative the dogs didn't concede the first goal and started making inroads into the lead. They did better than that, kicking three goals in the first 7 minutes to take the lead and had the Nor West players shellshocked having hardly a disposal in the quarter and very aware they were in a massive contest. From here the Jets stabilised and started to get themselves back in the game, kicking a couple of goals mid way through the quarter before both teams traded goals in the dying minutes. The score at the final break was 7.9 (51) to 6.3 (39) with the Jets in front after a fantastic quarter of football.
Sensing a possibilty of an upset the Bulldogs kept coming at the opposition. However, the final quarter was to be one of frustration for the home team as they pretty much spent the whole 22 minutes kept in the forward half of the ground but enable to put them through the big sticks. Inaccuracy cost the Jets in the second quarter and it also cost the dogs in the last. The boys kicked the first five behinds of the quarter and after a period of domination where lucky not to concede a goal as the Jets finally got their chance to go forward but only came away with one behind themselves. The dogs would kick the last two behinds of the game, but ultimately the final quarter was goalless and the final score 7.10 (52) to 6.10 (46) with the Jets taking the points.
For the dogs it was a top class all round team effort with no passengers on the day but particular praise must go to midfielders Jake Reid and Tom Reynolds who were sensational, as well as big man John Hook (2 goals) who spent the entire game in the ruck. Returning from an eight week injury lay off Division Two stalwart Mark McDonald was a steadying influence across the ground while Mark Cullen ended up with three goals.
A great effort to push the competition front runners right to the death but one that the boys must now build upon for the rest of the season. Next week is a huge game against Blacktown Magic (5 wins, 3 losses) who were 10 goal victors in the same match a few weeks back. A loss will leave the Bulldogs two wins out of a top five spot at the half way mark. On the evidence of last Saturday this team is more than capable of playing finals football and of causing some major rumbles if they can get there.
Last Modified on 04/06/2014 22:51