Phillip Island wins nail-biter

IN A thrilling contest, Phillip Island emerged victorious against Tooradin-Dalmore by a slender five-point margin. The Bulldogs came out firing in the first quarter, setting the tone early. Despite the loss of Youle to a tight hamstring, the return of Damien Holmes and Aaron Harris bolstered the backline significantly.

By half-time, Phillip Island looked strong, having only conceded six scoring shots. However, Tooradin-Dalmore rallied in the third quarter, slotting five goals to the Bulldogs’ three, narrowing the lead and setting up an exciting final term.

In the fourth quarter, it was anyone’s game. Tooradin-Dalmore jumped out with two quick goals to take the lead. Phillip Island showed grit as Zac Walker marked and goaled to keep them in contention.

Max Walton then made a significant impact by winning a contested ground ball, but his momentum was halted as he slammed into the turf and was unable to take the free kick. The ever-reliable Billy Taylor stepped up and took the free kick in Walton’s stead, remaining cool, calm, and collected to slot a goal and level the scores.

Refusing to stay sidelined, Walton demanded to return to the field. With two minutes left, the scores were level. Tooradin-Dalmore intercepted a mark at half-forward and attempted to play on quickly, but a bad bounce saw Walton swoop on the ball and release it to Jesse Patullo, who slotted a goal on the run from outside 50.

With one minute remaining, the Bulldogs strategically placed two players behind the ball. Tooradin-Dalmore won the centre bounce and kicked forward, but the ball went straight to the spare Bulldog defender. A stoppage ensued, leading to a free kick for the Seagulls with five seconds left. As Tooradin-Dalmore lined up for a shot to tie the game, the ball faded for a point, securing a dramatic five-point win for Phillip Island.

The Bulldogs’ victory against another grand final contender boosts the belief in this young group’s potential, showcasing their resilience and growing confidence.