Bulldogs hold onto their U16’s title

KOO WEE RUP Football Netball Club turned it on, on Saturday, when the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition played its final act of 2023, with a day of blockbuster Grand Finals. 

In beaming sunshine, the momentous and eventful day began with a scintillating match up in the under 16s between reigning premiers Phillip Island and their challengers Warragul.

Conditions for the entire day were immaculate, with only a slight breath of wind to open proceedings in the fourths where it was underdog Dusties getting away to a hot start.

The boys from Warragul slammed on three first quarter goals and kept the ‘Dogs to just one, to take a 12-point lead at the first change, led beautifully by their skipper and 15-year-old prodigy Cody Templeton.

As every good side does though, the undefeated Bulldogs came roaring back into the contest, booting three goals to none in the second term to wrestle back the momentum and take the lead at half-time, albeit by just eight points.

Following this, it seemed as though Phillip Island may pull away and pour on a big lead, but the Industrial’s lads weren’t having that, coming out and dominating the third quarter.

Despite winning a huge majority of possession and holding the ball in their scoring arc for almost the entire quarter, Warragul just could not find a way to kick a goal, having their hearts broken late, when the Islanders kicked truly in the dying moments of the term.

The Dusties never stopped fighting, but a 13-point three quarter time deficit proved too much, as the Doggies’ party got started in the final quarter, kicking three goals to one to seal the title. 

Tom Logan kicked two majors in the loss and fought hard alongside Benjamin Allsop and Jarrod West. 

But it was again the Islanders’ day, as Finn O’Brien led the way for Yianni Caffieri and Oliver Duggan who all contributed, the latter with three goals. 

Jack Briggs had the best performance though, winning the medal for best afield. 

Congratulations Phillip Island, the 2023 West Gippsland Under 16s premiers, and now, back-to-back under 16s premiers!