Young Bulldogs reign supreme

By Aiden Box

HAVING split their two meetings with one win apiece Inverloch-Kongwak and Phillip Island clashed for the right to hoist the under 16s premiership cup to open the days’ football. 

The Sea Eagles had completed a remarkable perfect home and away season but fell to the Bulldogs at home in week two of the finals, before fighting back with a gritty Preliminary Final victory. 

The play was shared quite evenly through the opening minutes, before a lucky free gave Island a great chance at goal and they made no mistake. 

The Sea Eagles were able to answer though, and eventually went into the first break eight points adrift. 

Throughout the second term though, the Bulldogs were able to capitalise on their forward entries at a much greater rate than IK, driving it into their dangerous forwards on many occasions to extend their lead to 20 points at the main break. 

The Sea Eagles were never going to go down without a fight though, showing true guts to hold the ‘Dogs goalless in the third, but they just could not capitalise themselves, going scoreless for the term in horrid conditions. 

In the end Phillip Island simply outworked the undermanned Sea Eagles line up, the midfield from ‘the kennel’ getting too much of the ball. 

Yianni Caffieri and Noah Muller creating great play for the Bulldogs on route to their 31-point win. 

Archie Terlich, Patrick Dwyer and Harry Butcher were brave all game long, putting in great performances despite the loss for IK.

Congratulations to Phillip Island, 2022 WGFNC fourths premiers! 

Bulldogs’ ruckman Zac Walker was judged best on ground.