Bulldogs dominate against Garfield

THE Phillip Island seniors finished Round 18 with a solid four-quarter effort to defeat Garfield by 52 points. The Bulldogs were sharp from the outset, with clean ball movement and a willingness to work hard both ways.

Jack Huther and Jack Taylor both led the charge up forward, each finishing with three goals. The experience of Cameron Pedersen and the craft of Jordy Patullo (two goals each) added to the scoring power, while a spread of single-goal contributors kept Garfield’s defence under constant pressure.

Through the middle, Brady Ross backed up his dominant reserves performance with another best-on-ground showing in the Seniors, highlighting his versatility and fitness. Ben Taylor and Alexander Officer were also prolific, while milestone man James Nicolaci featured in the best for a second game on the day — a testament to his endurance and commitment.

The win provides a strong springboard into finals, with the Bulldogs hitting form at just the right time.

Reserves
THE reserves produced a commanding performance, restricting Garfield to just five behinds for the match. The Bulldogs’ backline was rock solid, repelling every Garfield attack, while the midfield dominated clearances and controlled the tempo.

Up forward, Brady Ross was simply unstoppable, booting a remarkable seven goals and proving a constant headache for the Garfield defence. Harry Anderson was also dangerous with four goals, and contributions from Travis Woodfield (2), Ben Taylor, Mikka Paulsen, and Finlay Cousins rounded out a well-spread scoreboard.

It was a particularly special day for James Nicolaci, who celebrated his 200th game for the club. Nicolaci’s milestone was marked with a typically hard-working, team-first performance that epitomised his career in red, white, and blue.

Thirds
THE Phillip Island U18’s wrapped up their home-and-away season in fine style with a strong win over Garfield. From the first bounce, the Bulldogs set the tone with hard running and clean ball use. The forwards worked well together, finding space and converting opportunities.

Oliver Duggan and Max Taylor were in excellent form up forward, both kicking three goals each, while Noah Williams continued his consistent season with two majors and a strong presence around the contest. The midfield, led by Isaac Savona and Noah Forrest Mabilia, drove the ball forward with purpose, while Bailey Hennessy and Jeremy Kelly provided great pressure around the ground. Jasper Cashman’s work rate and composure under pressure also stood out.