Last term bite has Dogs barking mad

By Ken Moore
BUNYIP opened its winning
account with a hard fought 18 point
home ground victory over a deter
mined Poowong.
For much of the match, the Bull
dogs looked the likely winners, but
often failed to turn its on-field domi
nance into scoreboard pressure.
Due to poor kicking on goal, the
Bulldogs trailed by 10 points at
three-quarter-time, but seized con
trol with a five goals to one last quar
ter.
Bunyip started sluggishly, but
worked their way into the match in
the second quarter and should have
led at the main change, if not for
spraying a number of shots on goal.
Ironically, the Bulldogs surged
clear in the last quarter, when the
Gippsland Power listed Wayne Mor
ris, along with Adam Rakip and Glen
Browney, produced goals from diffi
cult shots after their mates had
missed some sitters.
Tall utility Brent Hues had a big
say on proceedings at both ends of
the grounds. Morris offered plenty
of run and carry through the middle
and Adam Rakip stood up when it
counted. Doveton recruit and cen
treman Callum Pattie burrowed in
for the ball, Josh Taylor stymied the
output of Magpie playmaker Matt
Grant and Andrew Henwood negat
ed Poowong sharpshooter Justin
Sweeney.
Young wingman Rob Miglas
showed speed and good skill and
looms as a bright prospect, while in
the last quarter, Robbie Lee shone
with a dozen disposals to cap off a
fine game. Star recruit Danny Cas
set was held to one goal, often dou
ble teamed by Matt Timmerman
and Ben Drew when the ball was in
his vicinity.
Poowong half back Glen Atten
borough and Devon Meadows
recruit Keith Moon provided plen
ty of rebound, Gippsland Power
squad member Chris Wylie took a
number of strong grabs and, in tan
dem with up another emerging tall
in Connor Cunningham, the visi
tors had the better of the ruck
duels.
Russell Greaves and Dave
Miller were more than serviceable
in defence. The early signs are the
Magpies will struggle to make the
top six but may well shape it.