By David Nagel
Bunyip had already announced itself as one of the big improvers in the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition (WGFNC) this season…but has rammed home that fact with a 15-point win over Cora Lynn at Bunyip on Saturday.
The Bulldogs were desperately unlucky not to get over the line against Nar Nar Goon in round one – with an after-the-siren goal by Brendan Hermann sinking their hopes – but proved that performance was no fluke with a hard-fought and thoroughly deserving victory over the Cobras on the weekend.
In fact, two late goals at the 29 and 31-minute marks saw the scoreboard – 15.13 (103) to 13.10 (88) – probably flatter the Cobras somewhat as the final siren sounded.
The Bulldogs, considered a hard-to-play against but dour team in recent years, showed a new-and-improved turn of foot to blow the game open with a stunning 6.4 to 1.3 second term.
It was the pivotal moment in another wise very absorbing contest.
Cora Lynn had slightly the better of the early exchanges, leading 4.2 (26) to 3.2 (20) at quarter time with the start of the second term taking on a similar feel.
Chris Johnson was proving a driving force through the middle of the ground for the Cobras, while the battle in the ruck between the number-23’s – Billy Thomas and Duncan Proud – was playing an important part around the stoppages.
But, midway through the second term, the Bulldogs clicked into gear…and the Cobras had no answers.
Key-marking option Connor Steel took a strong grab and kicked truly, before Alex McMillan (53) also converted calmly from a set shot.
The Bulldogs now had the momentum, and when Dylan Gallasch kicked a wonderful long goal on the run, from the members half-forward flank, the Doggies had opened up a 14-point lead at the 18-minute mark of the second term.
Proud was now having an impact, and a centre clearance resulted in another to the Doggies, this time a dribble kick from Alex Dijkstra, to stretch the lead out to 20.
Tristan Fernandez-Phillips then cut the margin back to 15 with a terrific running goal, but the Bulldogs had a bit more to offer.
Daniel Helmore received a head-high free-kick in front of goal, and duly converted, before Gallasch added another to his second-quarter highlight reel, snapping again from the member’s forward pocket.
It was an exhilarating display from the Bulldogs, who led 9.6 (60) to 5.5 (35) at the main break.
“You need to look me in the eyes and trust me,” Bulldogs coach Tim McGibney told his team at half time.
“Last week (Nar Nar Goon) we didn’t play for the full four quarters, today is the day we do and we don’t get beat with a kick after the siren.
“We run the game out and we trust our plans.”
Cora Lynn came out breathing fire at the start of the third quarter, with a set shot from Luke Hartley followed by a ball-burster on the run from Dillan Bass, who was beginning to have an impact off half back.
The Doggies margin had been cut back to 15 points…and it appeared to be game on.
The Cobras, with a culture of winning, were putting the Doggies under pressure.
But the Doggies didn’t wilt, despite having three shots at goal unluckily hit the woodwork in the third quarter.
Steel kicked a brilliant goal from the forward pocket, right in front of the scoreboard, before turning and giving some Cobras’ supporters a taste of their own medicine.
Will Papley, who distributed his time between midfield and half-forward, then marked and goaled and the Bulldogs had weathered that early storm.
The margin was back to 27 points.
Cora Lynn midfielder Heath Briggs then kicked a late one to give the Cobras a glimmer of hope, down 11.11 (77) to 8.8 (56) at three-quarter time.
“We just had a chat as coaches, and if we were in the Cora Lynn box right now…how do they win this game,” McGibney told his captive audience at the final break.
“There’s only one way they win this game, and that’s off our mistakes. They kicked three goals that quarter, and I’m not whacking you for the mistakes, but providing you with an opportunity to win this game.
“The only way they win, is if we drop off mentally.
“Be prepared for this game to go down to the wire.
“Don’t be safe, get it in deep, and let’s ram it home.
“Don’t be safe, let’s put them away.”
McGibney’s request was quickly answered, with Steel extending the margin to 27 points after just two minutes of play.
The Cobras then surged, with consecutive set shots to Heath Briggs and youngster Jett Edwards cutting the margin back to 15 points at the 12-minute mark of the last.
Gallasch, who been dangerous all day, then shanked a shot from almost directly in front, with the ball sailing out of bounds on the full.
Was this a turning point?
The answer, fortunately for the Doggies, was no, with Blake Cann kicking a great goal on the run to stretch it back to 21 points.
Matt Ryan then kicked truly at the 19-minute mark to bring the margin back to 19.
Nathan Allen, who played a great game through the midfield, then stamped his class on the contest with a brilliant snap under pressure…the game effectively sealed with 10 minutes left on the clock.
Steel then kicked his fourth, before Cory Machaya and Brent Urwin kicked late ones to give the scoreboard a more respectable look.
Bunyip looked good!
The Bulldogs moved the ball quickly off half back, with Riley Rundell the main orchestrator of that move, while Proud was terrific in the ruck, giving Dylan Quirk, Papley and Jeb McLeod first use at the stoppages.
Steel was superb up forward, booting four, while the Doggies forward line had good balance with Gallasch, Helmore and Papley looking very dangerous at times.
And Aaron Paxton, Jye Keath, Reid Jenkin, Ryan Quirk, Matt Ross, Matt O’Halloran, Dylan Cann and Xavier Kinder combined wonderfully well in defence.
As for Cora Lynn, well it is certainly undermanned at the moment and looks set for a very tough start to the season.
Two losses already on the board, and games against Inverloch-Kongwak, Tooradin-Dalmore and Nar Nar Goon to come…the Cobras may be heading for zip-and-five!
Johnson was terrific through the midfield, Hartley and Machaya dangerous up forward at times, but the Cobras just didn’t have the spark that we’ve become accustomed too.
The Cobradome has a massive heart…we’re all fully aware of that…but it’s now being tested like never before in recent years.
They’ll bounce back, but let’s see how strongly on an away trip to Inverloch-Kongwak this Saturday.
The Bulldogs, well they can bask in the glory of a fantastic win as they prepare for their next battle against Garfield, at Bunyip, in two weeks’ time on Saturday 23 April.
