Senior footy scalp headlines Bulldogs’ day out against Kats

At the end of the first quarter we were down by two goals, but into the second quarter we played a strong, even game, ending the half with a level score.

A big second half was needed. The third quarter ended with us down by three goals going into the last, and we ended the game with an eight-goal loss.

A well-fought game against a good side was what we needed to see where we were at before our finals campaign begins in a couple of weeks.

Awards:

Riverbank Farm $100 Cash: Jemmah Ryan

Club Bucks: Em Buzza

Mars Bar: Vanessa Ward

B-Grade

Lost 40-51

Tough day out on court against a strong opposition.

A second quarter lull allowed Katandra to get out to a 10-goal lead at half-time, which was difficult to peg back.

We had moments where we played the netball that we know we’re capable of, getting within five goals of them, and then we’d back off again and let it blow out.

Still, lots of positives to take away from the game, but also some areas that we know we need to work on. Four consistent quarters being one of them.

Joy played her 100th game for the club today and starred down in defence. With two juniors alongside her she showed great leadership and poise and was her usual determined self.

Lexi stepped up to help out again this week, this time in GK. Her versatility is a huge asset and she is capable of playing great netball all over the court.

She pulled in some pivotal rebounds and took a couple of clean, two-handed intercepts.

Once again a big thanks to our juniors Dakota, Alina and Lexi, who stepped up for us again today while we wait to have our full team back.

One more game of the home-and-away season to go, let’s regroup and try to get back on the winners’ list!

Awards:

ND Services $50: Joy

Strathmerton Railway Hotel: Lexi

Snickers: Millsy

C-Grade

Won 43-35

After a week off with last week’s bye, and a one-goal loss to Mathoura the week before, the girls all came out hungry for the win, and determined to raise our position back up the ladder.

We had a late out Friday night, with our star GD, Tamika Mosman, suffering a hand injury; however, she was there on the sidelines supporting us and still very much part of the team.

We had a really strong first quarter, leading by nine goals at the first change. Beth and Tayla were defending brilliantly in the circle, notching up plenty of intercepts, where our mid-courters Sarah, Amy and Tamara used short and sharp passes to move the ball down to Elle and Katelyn, who were on fire in the ring, extending our lead to 14 at half-time.

We brought some fresh legs on in the third, with Tessa coming into centre, but the Kats came back strong, with a 15-goal quarter to our 10, and pegged back our lead to nine at three-quarter time.

To our credit, we kept calm, stuck to our game play and all the hard work we’ve been putting in at training paid off. The whole team was connecting well and playing for each other, which gave us confidence and belief we could see games like this through.

Big thanks to Renee Anderson from C Res for benching for us and for all the cheering from the sidelines. Great effort, girls, a well-deserved win.

Awards:

O’Brien Earthmoving Cash: Tayla Dempster

The Sauna clinic @ Altruistic Alternative Therapies: Katelyn O’Brien

Strathmerton Mailbox Cafe & Brooks MarsBar: Beth Grinter

Strathmerton Railway Hotel: Amy O’Brien, Elle Drew and Tamara Speechly

C-Reserve

Lost 25-38

A disappointing day at the kennel, the irony of being beaten by Katandra Cats is not lost on us.

Perhaps the absence of Cat Herder Numero Uno Livvy Van E rattled us. Or Renee's terrible puns pregame.

Whatever it was, we weren’t ourselves and have some work to do before finals. Not all negative, however. There were some ‘very pretty’ passages of play in the third (Tilly Hooper in great form), as well as resilience in defence by both Katie Anderson and Tanika Russell, who were up against some serious height in goals. Reset and regroup C-Ressies, till next week!

Awards:

Van Every family Cash & Brooks Mars Bar: Hannah Routledge

Indulge Beauty Voucher: Tilly Hooper

D’Vine Ideas: Mumma Jodes

Strathmerton Railway Hotel: Casey Leijin

Premix King: Katie McDonald

Under-17s

Lost 18-32

Our girls had all the vibes ready for a great game! They clicked in the first quarter and found themselves in the lead.

As the game continued, our girls continued to put in the hard work but Katandra showed that they wanted the win more and unfortunately we made a few too many errors and we allowed them to get that win.

Still a very proud team mum, as each quarter our girls reset and did their best to support one another and keep the positive talk up!

Lots of positives to bring into the next game against Katunga.

Awards:

Crestani Concrete: Amy Wyatt

Numurkah Sports First: Mads Shannon

Strathy Canteen: Eva Laidlaw

Mars Bar: Kenz

Under-15s

Won 24-22

After great training with Hannah on Thursday night, the girls were up and about. It was a close game all game; the girls held their heads high, with plenty of positive talk all over the court.

Kell and myself made some changes throughout the game that we haven’t done all year and credit to all the girls, they adjusted well and we found some more new combinations we like!

Alyssah ran all day in GD, pulling in intercepts and running out of defence into attack with strong leads and talk.

Brylie took on every word of advice that was given to her and even though she felt she wasn’t doing much she was strong and amazing.

The defence circle was strong with these two defenders playing a blinder! Ella was on and off the court, thrown into goals where she hasn’t played all year.

One more round and into finals, girls. Our positivity is really paying off on the netball court during games!

Awards:

Crestani Concrete: Alyassah Wilson

Strathy Canteen: Brylie Barnes

Strathy Canteen: Ella Spencer Wood

Under-13s

Loss 13-26

It was a tough game for our girls but they gave it their all. We knew coming into the game the Katandra girls would put us to the test — and that they did.

Everyone kept a level head and gave 100 per cent for all four quarters. Some silly mistakes were made once we got a turnover but the girls worked tirelessly to get it back, putting pressure all down the court.

Emma had a ripper game, with fast thinking and quick leads she moved beautifully, and her feeding in to the goalers was amazing.

Mia played a great game of defence, forcing errors from the opposing team, working well to get around her player and leading towards the ball. Addison had a great run out on court, giving it her all and making perfect leads all across the court.

Mak stepped up in the goal ring, working beautifully alongside Rosie; their quick passing in the ring and movement within the ring made it look easy!

Great work, girls!

Awards:

Crestani Concrete: Emma Bourchier

Wingates Intersport: Mia Brooker

Strathy Canteen: Addison Newell

Choc: Mak McDowell

Under-11s

The very welcome sunshine drew a much bigger crowd for our last home game of the season and all 10 girls went out and gave it their all, impressing everyone with their improvement and slick ball movement through the court.

Kiesha had a great game in defence. She was tight on her player, she read the play well and she found good position on the transverse line resulting in some pivotal pick-ups.

Phoebe lead beautifully all day, finding great space through the court and in the ring and seamlessly switching to defence when the ball was turned over, resulting in some ripper intercepts. She had great voice out on court, too.

Liana drove hard on centre passes and hit the ring well when in WA, great attacking game from her. Maisie was in everything, few tips here and there but she really shone down in attack, linking well with her teammates, making good decisions with the ball.

Madi had a great first half in goals but her work in WD is why she received her award; beautiful tall hands over the ball, chasing up loose balls and backing up her teammates all over court.

Great game, girls. One more to go for the season, let’s make it our best one yet!

Awards:

Wingates Intersport: Kiesha

Coaches $5: Phoebe

Strathy Canteen: Liana

Strathy Canteen: Maisie

Mars Bar: Madi

Football

Seniors

Won 8.8 56 to 6.8 44

A highly anticipated top-of-the-table clash. We were excited to take on the Kats and to see how our recent form stacked up with the ladder leaders. With what seemed to be perfect conditions, coming fresh off the bye and welcoming back a few from injury, it was set to be a good contest.

We managed to get out of the blocks quickly, with Zack Betson a handful for the Katandra defence and booting a few early goals. We managed to go into the main break with a 14-point advantage.

The third quarter was no different to the first, Matt Ryan getting the upper hand around stoppages, giving our forwards good looks and they capitalised.

The margin blew out to five goals before the weather turned sour. Katandra came hard in the last quarter but we had done enough work early to defend the lead we had.

A good four-quarter effort by the whole team.

Goals: Z. Betson 3, T. Looby 2, J. Payne 2

Best: M. Ryan, J. Payne, D. Buzza, T. Collyer, M. Shannon and S. Lewis

Reserves

Lost 4.1.25 to 6.14.50

Not the result we were looking for. We went away from our game plan, communication and everything we spoke about pre-game.

We did start to get the momentum back our way late in the second quarter but failed to fire a shot all game.

Goals: A. Wood 3, J. Beer

Best: H .Parsons, J. Beer, R. Wyatt, Z. Bunge and S. Emmett.

Awards:

$50: J. Beer

Bulldog Bucks: H. Parsons

Cobram Outdoors: R. Wyatt

Wingates Intersport: Z. Bunge

Club Pizza: S. Emmett

Thirds

Lost 2.7 19 to 17.20 122

The boys were on the home deck for the last time for the year looking to get another win on the board. Unfortunately they couldn’t get the job done over a better side in the end.

Good to see a few boys stand up for the contest, with L. Neale getting his hands on the ball and dropping a few big bombs from the back line and Sicily getting him self a few goals.

Best players:

Craig’s Mobile Butchering: Harry R

Darcy McCormack: Chum

Coaches Award: Tory

Crestani Concrete: Stevo

Miss Bramich Mars Bar: Archer

Strathy Canteen Award: Blake

Bury Family Socks: Nash

Fourths

It was another crisp morning for our fourths and unfortunately they struggled to perform, being flat from the start.

With a few down on their usual output and our teamwork lacking, it was really hard to get any momentum going our way.

The Bayne boys were two that tried hard all day. Jack Daniel was able to score three goals, his highest effort yet. Let’s regroup for our last game of our home-and-away season.

Awards:

Numurkah Trade Group: Jed Bayne

Strathmerton Mailbox Cafe: - Nash Bayne

Crestani Concrete: Jack Daniel

The Lefty Baker: Preston Power

Strathy Canteen: Tyler Holt

Mars Bars: Ashtyn Speechly

Opposition Award $5: Parker Van Popering

Fifths

The pups had a great game. They battled out all game with a very even contest. Everyone’s skills and ability have progressed week by week!

Bring on our last game against Katunga next week.

Go Doggies!

Awards:

Bernt Agriculture: Flynn K

O’Brien Earthmoving: Jack K

Strathy Canteen: Max

The Lefty Baker: Laikynn

Mars Bar: Toby

Strathy Canteen: Isahk