Magpies maul bereft Bunyip

DALYSTON won their third consecutive game by a commanding 111-point margin over Bunyip and bounced to the heady heights of second on the senior ladder.

Having languished at the base of the competition is recent seasons, the Magpies in the early stages of the season are certainly bringing joy to their faithful followers.

The rain that endured in the earlier games passed over and the sun shone, as did Dalyston, in the first thirty minutes. From the outset their game plan clicked into gear.

The Sherrin was coming out of the centre easily and with Curtis Murfett and Michael Marotta creating speed away from the contests Dalyston’s forwards were lapping up the clean entries.

Carew, Storr and Wallis queued up for the first three majors and the show was on the road.

Bunyip overall were a step off the pace allowing Dalyston’s pressure to create turnovers and Legione, Bowes and Barry each finished the team’s good work with goals. The Pies up by 39 at the first break.

The second term trended in similar fashion early with Storr and Carew both quickly on the board again.

Bunyip steeled themselves and pressed forward but several forays inside their scoring zone only resulted in a string of behinds. This was the most uninspiring period for the home team, as the Magpies found it difficult to extricate the ball from their backline.

However, they weathered the storm and Storr again proved his worth with a steadying goal to stretch the half-time lead to 64.

The third quarter mirrored the previous two with Dalyston fast out of the blocks with a one-two punch and goals to Carew and Wallis as a result.

The Bulldogs began to play with more enthusiasm and flair. In their best passage for the game, Dijkstra fed Ashton who delivered to Jason Williams and they were finally on the board with their first major. 

Chase Saunders added another soon after but that rounded off Bunyip’s goal tally for the day.

Dalyston kicked back into gear with Brad Monson marking everything across the half back line and Jack Legione capping off his brave attacks on the ball with two of Dalyston’s next four majors.

The Magpies’ big win should be viewed in some context. In round 18 of the 2022 season Bunyip defeated Dalyston by 4 goals at the same venue. From the two teams that competed that day, Dalyston had 12 players represent them last Saturday and Bunyip just 4.

A more realistic form guide to how much Dalyston has improved will emerge as they face the revitalised Cobras at Cora Lynn. Bunyip is also on the road in Round 5 with a visit to Bass to face the Panthers.