Bulldogs pull off one-point victory

By Phil Bourke

WHAT a difference a week makes! Last week, perfect Spring finals conditions, and yet this week, back to the depths of winter with showers, cold winds, and slippery footballs! It’s a beautiful part of the world we all share, but from a footy perspective, it can sure be frustrating on the weather front.

So, with the sunshine breaking through the intermittent showers, the Bulldogs Seniors headed into their Preliminary final against the ‘Gooners’ from Nar Nar Goon. Only one meeting in round four at the Kennel – resulting in one of the Bulldogs 2023 draws – offering no real pointer to the likely outcome. Even the WGFNC Barracker struggled to separate the teams, predicting a couple of point victory to the Gooners in a close encounter. After the previous two weeks, where the Bulldogs supporters were to be put through the wringer of emotions after a draw and one point loss, all hoped this prediction was not on the mark!!

But a close prediction indeed from the Barracker, but one that was to prove only marginally off the mark. But it was again sure to be a test of the Bulldogs loyal supporter base’s emotions and heartrates, with a nail-biting come from behind run to – you guessed it – a one point (44-43) win. Relief and joy in equal measures flowed through the rooms after the win, savouring what was a stunning effort.

In what began as a brutal, physical, but completely fair contest, the Gooners and the Bulldogs attacked both the ball and each other from the outset. The slippery conditions early were compounded by a heavy shower through the first, as the two teams pushed, prodded, tackled and harassed each other. Only one goal for the first through the agency of Bulldogs youngster Jack Papas, answered by a string of behinds towards the end by the Goons. Bulldogs captain Jack Taylor led from the front, whilst the Goon captain Trent Armour was equally prominent as well, aided admirably by Nate Pipicelli and Jeconiah Peni.

The second opened Bulldogs domination around the ball, with Max Walton leading the way, and the Patullo-2 (Jordy and Jessie) on top. But all was to come to naught as the Gooners defence stood tall, with James Cairns marking everything that came his way. A goal from Dermott Yawney brought the scores level. Neither side was able to break through the opposition defences – with Bulldogs Daniel Pearce and Jesse Patullo prominent – until finally the Bulldogs were rewarded with a Cameron Pedersen goal late in the quarter. After a traditional final slugfest in the first half, scores of 15-10 at half time reflected the evenness and defensive domination for both teams.

The third began as the second left off, with both sides going as hard at each other as anyone could recall. Sam Blackwood and Flynn Parker were outstanding for the Gooners, whilst Max Blake, Orlando Kane-Gillard and Daniel Bourke were leading the Bulldogs. Jack Taylor and Trent Armour continued to lead their charges into the battle, until the Bulldogs through a combination of Daniel Pearce, Orlando Kane Gillard and Trav Woodfield were able to score a very welcome Bulldog goal, and a match-high 12-point lead. Not ready to concede, the Gooners decided that it was time to answer, and for a stunning 10-minute period they were able to slam through four goals. The Smith duo – Jack and Jed slotted through a couple, combined with captain Armour and Matt Homfray who were feasting on a period of dominance from Nate Pipicell, Jeconiah Peni and Dean Boavida, and the Goon looked good with a 35-23 lead at three quarter time break.

Coach Pedersen remained steely and confident for the Bulldogs at the break, reminding the Bulldogs of their enviable final quarter record across the entire year.

So, the final began – the final quarter for one of these gallant teams. Points early to both sides, but the Bulldogs began to look stronger than their opposition, peppering the forward line with Cameron Brown, Bryce Hindhaugh, Jack Taylor, and Max Walton leading the way. Finally, a big mark from Max Blake resulted in a goal – only after a near comical umpire conference (the second of the quarter). A couple of minutes later, Billy Taylor put himself in the right spot to receive a vital free kick and a pass to Coach Pedersen for a goal, and the Bulldogs were back in front.
Just when it looked like the Bulldogs were pushing towards the win, the Goon prime movers decided that it wasn’t going to happen!! Dermott Yawney stepped up and slotted a vital goal, and the Gooners were back in front!! But the Bulldogs were not to be denied. Continued forward thrusts led by captain Taylor and the Patullo-2 resulted in a loose ball and a goal from Trav Woodfield for a two-point Bulldog lead. 

To be expected, the Goon was not to be outdone. Jake Smith received the ball on his own in the centre and put the ball into the hot spot, and after a series of ball-ups, the ball was finally rushed through, leaving the Bulldogs one point up. With everyone’s hearts in their mouths, the final siren rang, and the Bulldogs were through in a classic, tough preliminary final encounter.

So, its mothballs for the gallant Nar Nar Goon, as the Bulldogs head into the Grand Final next week against Inverloch at Koo Wee Rup. Who knows what will happen there!