A giant win in Bez’s 200th

KORUMBURRA BENA have played some of their best football in recent years on their way to their second win of the season, once again over the struggling Bunyip, this time at the Korumburra Showgrounds on Saturday. 

Celebrating club legend Nicholas Besley’s 200th game and the debut of under 18s forward Zach Barrett, the rain and freezing cold conditions were never going to deter the Giants faithful from turning out in force. 

On return from a calf complaint, Paul Fermanis was dominant from the opening bounce, alongside star young midfielder Jay Walker and the pair set up the opening three drives for the hosts. 

After their first shot missed, Walker found his first-year head coach in Fermanis who was able to mop up his own dropped mark and find the chest of the debutant, allowing him to take a set shot from 30 metres out. 

Korumburra Bena’s composure with the football was the greatest difference in match and allowed them to open up a 28-point lead within the first 20 minutes of the match, as Kodie Walker set them up beautifully in defence. 

Korumburra Bena took that 28-point lead into quarter time with great positivity but were completely outplayed throughout the second term. 

The Bulldogs came together and mounted an impressive fightback, changing their mode of play, often going direct upfield and quickly getting the ball inside 50, which is where it stayed for the great majority of the quarter. 

The ‘Dogs then absolutely dominated field position for the next 20 minutes but were unable to break through with another major as the ball seemed to magnetise itself to the left forward pocket. 

Dixon’s late goal broke the hearts of the Bulldogs who’d given everything to battle back but were robbed of any real reward as the home side showed almighty resolve to hold on. 

At the main break, the Giants led by 19-points as Jordan Grabham and Joel Cuman began to assert themselves on the game. 

Conditions continued to worsen after halftime, but the footy remained thrilling with both teams throwing their bodies on the line in pursuit of the all important four points. 

Soon after the Giants head coach had his fourth and celebrated accordingly with teammates.

The home side carrying this momentum into the final change leading by 36-points. 

Requiring a mammoth effort to claw their way back and record their maiden win of the season, the Bulldogs came out with aggression in the final quarter and were rewarded with the first major, thanks to a classy snap from young gun Alex Djikstra. 

Unfortunately, though, they couldn’t build off of this dream start and despite their best efforts to bring heat to the contest, but went well over the edge, giving away two consecutive 50 metre penalties inside defensive 50, leading to back-to-back Joel Cuman goals to seal the game.