PREMIUM
Sport

All eyes on finals as Bulldogs wrap up home-and-away season

Strathmerton’s Luke Collyer was among the best in the seniors’ final home-and-away match, with the side’s attention now turning to a big finals clash against Waaia in a fortnight’s time. Photo by Megan Fisher

Netball

A-Grade

Strathmerton lost 42-31

A tough game to end our home-and-away season. With both teams sitting next to each other on the ladder we knew it would be no easy match.

We held the lead at quarter time by two goals. The second quarter saw Katunga come out firing and enter the third quarter five goals in front. The second half went Katunga’s way and credit to them, they ended the game with an 11-goal win.

A lot to take away in preparation for our finals campaign, we are looking forward to our finals series.

Awards:

Riverbank Farm $100 cash: Kelley Laidlaw

Club Bucks: Jemmah Ryan

Mars Bar: Caitlin Brooks

B-Grade

Lost 48-45

We had the gang back together today for the first time in weeks — and we love to see it!

We always have a great battle against the Swannies and today was no different. We just couldn’t get ahead of Katunga, and the game ebbed back and forth.

Unfortunately we went down by three in a nail-biting finish. A good hit-out that will prepare both teams for the finals!

Kiara Deverill received the ND Services $50 for her beautiful leading all day in the goal ring. Emma Hocking, our little pocket rocket, worked tirelessly all game, hitting the ring and nailing her feeds into the shooters.

Joy Maher was solid in defence, her long arms caused trouble for Katunga’s shooters throughout the game. Heads up, girls, we have the week off to sharpen up the little things before we face Deni in the QF. Go Doggies!

Awards:

$50 ND Services:Kiara Deverill

Kristi Cleary Arbonne: Emma Hocking

Mars Bar: Joy Maher

C-Grade

Lost 68-24

A tough day on the court against an undefeated Katunga side.

We were able to stay competitive in the first quarter, only being down by six goals, but the second quarter saw Katunga score 21 goals to our three, with us trailing at half time by 24. To our girls’ credit, we stayed positive, kept our heads up, and managed to have fun while still giving 100 per cent effort.

There were some great turnovers down our defensive end, and our attackers never gave up, but Katunga were just too good on the day. We will turn our attention to next week. The girls are all super-excited to have made finals this year — we will re-group, reset, give it our absolute all and leave everything out on the court. Bring on finals!

Awards:

The Sauna Clinic at Altruistic Alternative Therapies: Tamika Mossman

Indulge Beauty By LeShae: Beth Homan

Strathmerton Railway Hotel: Sarah McVeigh

C-Reserve

Lost 28-20

We didn’t get the win, but we’ve well and truly got our sass back. Thank God.

After a few weeks of low morale, the sun came out and we were back to our nonsense selves. Tee started strong with Harry Potter chat, the Andersons gave each other crap and yours truly was late to warm up. Bless us.

Special mention to Gracie Muck who crushed it in WD. Not only putting defensive pressure on her own opponent, but also the opposing GA. Tee and Katie Mc also dominated in defence, bringing strength, fire and talk.

And last but not least, we welcomed back Cat Herder Numero Uno, Livvy Van E, who as always, crushed it in about three different positions. Finals time!

Awards:

Payne Family Cash and Brooks Mars Bar: Katie McDonald

Indulge Beauty Voucher: Hannah Routledge

D’Vine Ideas: Gracie Muck

Strathmerton Railway Hotel: Livvy Van Every

Premix King: Tee Russell

Under-17s

Lost 46-16

In our last match for the season our focus was enjoying our netball, getting around each other and keeping the smile on our face! Our 17s legends achieved all three against a quality top-two Katunga side.

We are so proud of the improvement and growth our girls have shown over this season. Thanks to all the girls for the year and good luck to all teams competing in the finals. Go Bulldogs!

Awards:

Crestani Concrete $10: Eva Laidlaw

Numurkah Sports First: Mads Shannon

Mars Bar: Kenz Duhring

Under-15s

Lost 24-18

Unfortunately it just wasn’t our day. We had some really nice passages of play but then just couldn’t continue. Matilda shot beautifully all game and gave it 110 per cent.

Brylie in defence played a great game. Brylie is a bit of a quiet achiever! Maycee and Payton had their voices switched on and their determination was seen on the court! Let’s regroup at training and move ahead to finals!

Awards:

Numurkah Sports First: Matilda Waser

Wingates Intersport: Brylie Barnes, Maycee Sampson and Payton Van Every

Under-13s

Lost 23-15

Today just wasn’t our day. The girls played a great game and were moving beautifully all game, unfortunately we just couldn’t get on top on the scoreboard.

Rosie had a brilliant four quarters, her moving and drives were on point and she shot at 100 per cent, getting rebounds from everywhere. Addison had her first two quarters in shooter and she looked like she had played there all year, her voice was on and her moving around the ring opened up lots of space.

Paige played a great two quarters in defence and picked off balls left, right and centre. Claudia had a great two quarters going from defence to centre and her passes and her drives were on before coming off and using her voice from the sidelines.

It was a great last game for our girls. It would have been nice to come away with a win, but the girls should be super proud of their efforts this season!

Awards:

Crestani Concrete $10: Rosie stokes

Crestani Concrete $5: Addison Newell

The Lefty Baker: Paige Argus

Wingates Intersport: Claudia Ciccone

Under-11s

Last game of the year for our littlest legends and they got to choose their own positions for the game; this resulted in some new and different combinations out on court but also lots of fun.

It’s been amazing to watch these girls not only develop their skills this year but also a love and passion for the game.

They were eager to listen and learn every Thursday and Saturday and they were supported by very proud and involved parents. Maka and I have had an absolute ball coaching all 10 girls and we can’t wait to watch them move through the ranks at Strathy! The future is bright!

Awards:

Kit Kat: Everyone

Football

Seniors

Lost 8.10 (58) to 7.7 (49)

We headed to Katunga looking to secure top spot on the ladder. Coming off a good win last week, we emphasised that we needed to start well to put the Swans under early pressure.

Unfortunately that was not the case; Katunga had the first quarter on its terms. With a late goal we managed to go into the quarter-time break only eight points down. With a few position changes, we tightened up our defence end keeping the Swans goalless in the second quarter and managed to go into the half-time break with a nine-point advantage.

The second half turned a bit scrappy and that played into the hands of the Swans. We ended up going down by nine points.

Nonetheless it was a great hit-out leading into finals and we have earned the first week of finals off and a double chance. We look forward to the challenge in a fortnight’s time against Waaia.

Goals:

T. Looby 5, J. Crestani and Z. Betson 1

Best:

M.Ryan, M.Shannon, M.O’Kane, S.Lewis, L.Collyer and M.O’Brien

Reserves

Won 3.3 (21) to 15.13 (103)

The boys made the local trip to Katunga for the last home-and-away game. They were in a better frame of mind than the week before and we’re working on a few things (including field positions) coming into the finals.

Up the forward line, Joel McKenzie led the goalkicking, and the midfielders worked well together all game. The boys come away with quite a comfortable win heading into finals. Go Doggies!

Awards:

$50: Z Bunge

Cobram Outdoors: J Russo

Bulldog Bucks: J Hendo

Wingates Intersport: J Stephens

Club Pizza: J Bury

Goals:

J. McKenzie 4. Z. Bunge and T. Cantrill 3. M. Keane, A. Wood, J. Henderson, J. Stephens and D. Allen 1.

Best: Z. Bunge, J. Russo, J. Bury, J. Stephens, H. Parsons and M. Luci.

Thirds

Lost. Strathy 5.7 (37) vs Katunga 14.8 (92)

The boys rocked up to Katunga looking to get the win on the board.

The boys were up for the fight. Fat Tony was on from the first bounce getting his hands on anything.

Sicily was everywhere, kicking goals from everywhere, Weasel playing his role and L. Neale looked to try and get himself another three votes but couldn’t get the job done.

Big man Harry Barnes couldn’t kick a goal to save himself, and unfortunately the boys couldn’t get the job done in the end but are looking forward to playing finals.

Best players

Tyler S (Craig’s Mobile Butchering)

JD (coaches award)

Stevo (Crestani award)

Holy (Miss Bramich Mars Bar)

Tory (Canteen award)

Tom (Bury family socks)

Fourths

A short trip down the road saw our fourths come up against local rivals Katunga Swans.

In a game where ladder positions couldn’t change, it was a great battle to watch early; however, as the game went on, Katunga got on top and took the points for the last home-and-away game for the season.

Our top-age players are always playing well and the core of our side. Jed Bayne was the pick of the team for always attacking the ball and having a real crack. Tamika at full back was also impressive.

Awards:

Crestani Concreting: Jed Bayne

Numurkah Trade Group: Tyler Holt

Strathy Canteen: Mykel Argus

Mailbox Cafe: Tamika Muller

The Lefty Baker: Derek Muckenthaler

Mars Bar: Max Bayne

Coaches: Jack Wood

Fifths

A great season finished for the pups. After a ‘parent vs kids’ training Thursday night, the pups were more than eager to give it their best for their last game of the season against Katunga.

Many great achievements, growth, teamwork and determination to try their best every single game. What an amazing season we have had. Thank you to all the families for all the assistance and support throughout the season. Go Doggies!

Awards:

Auselec: Tanner

MarsBar: Buddy

The Lefty Baker: Flynn K

Bernt Ag: Max

O’Brien Earthmoving: Flynn C

Strathy Canteen: Joe

O’Brien Earthmoving: Sonny

O’Brien Earthmoving: Logan