PHILLIP Island has emerged victorious in a season-defining contest against premiership contenders Tooradin-Dalmore at the Cowes Kennel on Saturday, defeating the second-placed Seagulls in convincing style by 66 points.
The Bulldogs increased their advantage at the end of each quarter, after an expected close opening term, with winners on every line, a competitive on-ball unit and plenty of firepower up forward including from the coach himself Cam Pedersen with five, Brendan Kimber with four and two in-a-row by Billy Taylor in the third quarter.
Not only did they overcome a star-studded Tooradin line-up, which nonetheless showed glimpses of its trademark ability to score quickly out of the centre, the Bulldogs also overcame a couple of unwanted obstacles as well.
Keeping the bumper school-holiday crowd entertained throughout, and players on their toes, were a pair of Cape Barron Geese, camped out on the half-forward flank, on the netball courts side of the ground.
For the most part they went about their business, as grazing birds do, chewing on a lush patch of green grass, 10 metres to 20 metres inside the boundary, looking a little bemused but disinterested as the players came close, only once or twice bothering to flutter out of the way.
It goes with the territory, according to Phillip Island Football Netball Club President, Chris Ross.
“Yeah, there’s nothing we can do about it,” said Chris Ross after the game.
“You’ll get a pair or two out there and make a home of it.
“It’s just one of those things, there always there.
“They’ll only get out of the way if they absolutely have to,” he said.
Can you recall anyone falling over one?
“Not that I know of. They can move quickly if they want to.
“The players are well aware of it, and aren’t concerned about having them there.”
The other issue players had to contend with on the day was the muddy state of sections of the Cowes oval, despite the completion of a $300,000 drainage upgrade and resurfacing project last year.
“It’s not ideal but understandable given the amount of traffic on the oval every day,” said Mr Ross, noting that Phillip Island had 15 football teams using the ground, not counting the 150 kids turning out on Friday nights for the popular Auskick program.
“We know the drainage is working well because we put down a test hole out in the middle and found the ground, 50mm down, was quite dry.
“It’s just the amount of training and playing traffic.”
Mr Ross said he would leave the issue of whether the right grass had been selected for the resurfacing work to others better qualified.