Bulldogs Under-12
The Bulldogs were at home again this week, their opponents Wangaratta Centrals.
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The first quarter was a scrappy affair, with neither side able to gain ascendancy. Josh Montgomery was continuing his great early season form and was giving the Bulldogs on-ballers first use of the ball.
The second quarter was dominated by the Bulldogs, although inaccurate kicking was costly. Hugh Ross was enjoying the wide-open spaces of the showgrounds and along with Ben Wells and Ryan White continually drove the ball into the forward line. Charlie Bell was instrumental in many of the attacking plays, turning defense into attack with his long kicking.
The third term saw a more accurate Bulldogs, the hard-running wingman Alex Lambert was prominent during this quarter his attack on the ball was fantastic. Zane Peisley was another player to come under notice during this quarter off half back to creating options for teammates. Jack Christie took numerous intercept marks in defence and was playing his best game for the Bulldogs.
The last quarter developed into an arm wrestle with Centrals adding two goals during the quarter. Playing their best, the Bulldogs toughed the game out to run out eventual winners by 12 points.
Final score: Bulldogs 5.8 (38) d Centrals 4.2 (26)
Goals: Ollie Wardill 2, Hugh Ross, Josh Montgomery, Jordan Streader.
Best: Josh Montgomery, Hugh Ross, Charlie Bell, Ben Wells, Zane Piesley, Jack Christie.
Bulldogs Under-14
The Bulldogs ran onto the Showgrounds Sunday morning with a renewed focus for the game this week against the Centrals. It was a great all-round team effort with all players striving to have an impact on the game.
Nate Nicholas was a standout who seemed to be everywhere and played a strong four quarters. Also well done to Jobe Stovell, Jye Mathieson and Billy Dyer who all managed to find space when the ball came out of the backline and ran all day.
Despite the final score the Doggies played a great game and really challenged the Centrals right to final siren.
Final score: Centrals 12.18 (90) d Benalla Bulldogs 6.5 (41)
Goals: Ryder Robertson 2, Joshua Ward, Ryder Humphries, Ollie Wardill, Josh Montgomery.
Best: Nate Nicholas, Billy Dyer, Jobe Stovell, Jackson Fry, Luke Boulton, Jye Mathieson.
Bulldogs Under-17
Another home game and cooler conditions didn’t help the team. Centrals jumped from the first bounce, and quickly showed they were a fit, running side. By quarter time a lot of the Bulldogs had already been rotated through the bench, but they led 37-0.
By half-time Bulldogs had two goals and had slowed their scoring. But Centrals beat Bulldogs in the air, cutting off any long bombs.
Jesse Liddington and Connor Breheny made some exciting bursts through the middle, but they lacked running support.
Coaches swapped a few positions in the second half and tried to lower eyes. And the boys did run out the four quarters, but Centrals got up convincingly.
Final score: Centrals 17.30 (132) d Bulldogs 4.2 (26).
Goals: Connor Breheny, Blake Calvert, Jet Russell, Jaxon Brunner.
Best: Dan Farley, Jesse Liddington, Sam Gates, Connor Breheny, Max Beaton, Blake Calvert.
Giants Under-12
It was the Under-12 Giants’ first home game and right from the first siren the whole team played confident and smart football.
The midfielders worked the ball quickly down to the forward line where strong marks were converted to an early substantial lead that they then held for all four quarters.
Good teamwork in the backline kept the Magpies to a minimum score and the team all enjoyed the opportunity to once again belt out the theme song for the third win this season.
Final scores: Benalla Giants 9.9 (63) d Junior Magpies 3.2 (20)
Goals: Tom Mount 5, Charlie Bowen, Cash Nolen, Archie Evans, Brayden Jacobs.
Best: Tom Mount, Xavier DeFazio, Tom Snell, Jack Hart, Jude Binion, Angus Leavold.
Giants Under-14
Coming off a loss last week the Under-14 Giants were determined to make their first home game memorable. Unfortunately, it was the Magpies that made the memories. Basic skill errors let the boys down on the day and when the ball was down in forward line, players just could not convert.
The tireless running of Josh Hart, Josh Mathieson and Liam Fielding was not enough to break through the Magpies’ defence which was impenetrable, leaving the Giants scoreless for the full four quarters.
A huge shout out to Noah Cooney for stepping up and playing the last quarter for the 14s, he showed true grit and determination while he was on the field and stated that he’s ready to play for the 17s, too.
Fundamental football will be the focus at training this week, so players can come out strong and attack the ball next round.
Ayden Barnard showed amazing potential as a key ruckman in what is only his fourth game ever.
Final scores: Magpies 15.9 (99) d Giants 0.0 (0).
Best: Josh Hart, Liam Fielding, Josh Mathieson, Ayden Barnard.
Giants Under-17
A depleted Giants with players out yet again went up against a strong Wangaratta Magpies side.
In the first quarter the Magpies dominated around the ground hitting the scoreboard hard with the Giants left shell shocked. The Giants lost big forward Josh Stacey early to injury which made things tough for another week.
Coach Wapling called on his players to man up and put the pressure on the much bigger and older opposition. The Giants in the second quarter did just that. Their tackling pressure was amazing, without reward in a lot of instances, but they kept going.
In the third the Giants put on three goals to the Magpies four with Mitch Cooney kicking a hard-fought running goal which got the Giants up and about. Then Owain Boyle worked the ball out of the midfield and down to the forward line to kick their second.
Lochy Duggan then followed up with a mark in front of goals to add another goal to the tally.
The Giants worked tirelessly for three of the four quarters led by Owain Boyle, Xavier Wapling and Will Botten in the mid field with big Ryno working hard in the ruck too. Those boys could barely move after the game. The Giants backline worked hard all day.
The scoreboard didn’t reflect the game and effort of the Giants. With the Giants not having many top age players this year than they normally would, everyone should be so proud of their efforts.
Final score: Magpies 23.15 (153) d Giants 3.2 (20).
Goals: Mitch Cooney, Owain Boyle, Lochlan Duggan.
Best: Owain Boyle, Xavier Wapling, Will Botten, Mitchell Cooney, James Ferguson, Bryce Cooney.
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