GVL ǀ Gallery ǀ Bulldogs and Saints play out Good Friday epic

By James Kleeman

Apr 18, 2022

Up he goes: Saints’ Josh Marchbank challenges in the ruck contest. Photo by Brenden Paddock

Tatura has secured a thrilling come-from-behind win against Benalla on Good Friday, the Bulldogs collecting their first points of the year with an exhilarating 11.8 (74) to 10.15 (75) win.

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A six-goals-to-three first quarter had the Saints storming out of the blocks on Friday afternoon, the home side elevated by a bumper crowd and some star power on their sidelines.

Good hit: Will O’Donoghue pumps it forward. Photo by Brenden Paddock

The highly-anticipated arrival of Heath Shaw on Friday did not go exactly as planned for the Saints, with the club announcing on Friday morning that Shaw was ineligible to play due to a points penalty that would be imposed on his contracted club, East Keilor, by the Essendon District Football League.

Shaw was in attendance on the day and assumed the running duties for the Saints, offering his expertise in a different capacity.

A feisty three-goals-to-one second term ensured Benalla kept the Dogs at arm’s length, bringing a healthy 27-point lead into the break.

Quick hands: Ben Cooke gets a handball away. Photo by Brenden Paddock

Tatura coach Paul Kirby said matching the energy the home side brought early was a big challenge for his outfit.

“There were times we looked a bit flat, I was just trying to get them to bring up their effort but it’s super hard when you’re getting beaten pretty easily (around the contest),” Kirby said.

Despite just edging out the third term, the Dogs had it all to do in the fourth quarter, requiring an even four goals at the last change.

A final-quarter blitz was required, and that’s what Tatura produced, kicking four unanswered goals to secure an exhilarating one-point win.

Wrapped up: Ben Cooke brings down his man. Photo by Brenden Paddock

Kirby said his side’s ability to soak up early pressure in hostile territory was something he was particularly proud of.

“I’m pretty happy with the result, especially when the boys could hang tough for that long,” he said.

“Just hanging tough for those last three quarters, I knew our fitness was pretty good, and they might have run out of a bit of steam, but to come back and win when they probably shouldn’t have was just excellent from the boys.”

Clean: James Martiniello battles for a ground ball. Photo by Brenden Paddock

Kirby was pumped with the even contribution his boys brought to Benalla.

“I was super happy — we probably only played around 20 minutes of good football, but to hang in there when you are getting beaten and then try and pull something out in the last quarter is a real good effort,” he said.

“We pride ourselves on making sure we fight out till the very end, and that’s what we did.“