Footy Flashbacksfrom the archives of the BDT

The Year of the Bulldogs 1992

By Craig Gilby

The North Bulldogs are the 1992 premiers. After four torrid and tough quarters of football Kerry Hoskins was able to hold the T.C. Gunn Cup aloft with Coach Ray Giblett.

The margin was only 13 points and the Bulldogs gave their supporters many heart flutters before the final siren. The Magpies after being the top team all year simply weren’t good enough on the day. Both sides remained unchanged. Corey Simmons took his spot on the field as did Scott Jenkin who played with a heavily bandaged thigh. Hoskins won the toss and kicked with the wind. Centrals started with the first goal to Duncan Draper and were on top until they made two big mistakes in the space of three minutes giving away two 50 metre penalties which resulted in North goals. A Magpie goal late in the term saw them trail by only 13 points.

Centrals biggest worry at this stage was defender Anthony Davis who had received two horrific head high tackles and had to come off. The second term saw Centrals fail to utilise the wind. The Bulldogs defence led by Brian Bearman played brilliantly. The Magpies again continued to play the man. Todd Spain received a 50 metre penalty and then another head high tackle, both of which resulted in goals. At half time North’s led by 3 points.

David Loy kicked the first goal of the third term to give Central’s the lead however North’s Wayne Walker intercepted a wayward pass to set up Jason Simmons for a goal. Towards the end of the third term goals to Chris Evans and Duncan Draper had seen the Pies outscore the Dogs against the breeze.

At the last break the Bulldogs led by 2 points but had to defend against the wind, had had three tough games in a row while Centrals with the weeks rest still seemed fresh.

Peter Nash’s message to the players at three quarter time huddle was quite simple. “Don’t panic you have 30 minutes to kick a winning score”. Centrals opened with points to T. Sandy and D Draper, scores were level and everything was going to plan. Brendan Price opened the game up with a North goal after 11 minutes to open up a lead by 8 points before Ross Vickers dragged one back at the 20 minute mark. North by a point. In the next three minutes the match was sealed. Corey Simmons who had been left unattended on the half forward line kicked two goals to blow North’s lead out to 13 points.

David Loy made a last ditch effort when he ran into a open goal but took one bounce to many and hit the post.  When the whistle blew the Dogs had got home by 13 points in a thrilling finale to the season.

Tony Tiziani played the game of his life at CHB, and was virtually impassable and receive the medal for best on ground.  Not far behind was Jason Ryan with a superb roving display, the run of Umback and Price was also vital.

For the Magpies vice captain Scott Jenkin deserved a medal, he failed a fitness test Thursday night but came up on Saturday with a mile of strapping on his injured thigh. Ford and Morris were very good on the half back line.

Best: North: Tony Tiziani, Jason Ryan, Dean Umback, Brendan Price, Brian Bearman, Kent Spencer, Corey Simmons, Mark White. Centrals: Scott Jenkin, Michael Ford, Brett Morris, John Campbell, Ian Grenwood, Clint Draper, Frank Manoel, Kerry Pollard.

Goals: North Jason Simmons 3, Corey Simmons 3, Todd Spain 2, Brendan Price 2, Dean Umback , Kent Spencer.  Centrals: Duncan Draper 2, Visko Sulicich 2, Ross Vickers 2, Ken Lavanda, Adrian Evans, Chris Evans, David Loy

Final Scores: North’s 12- 13 (85) defeated Central’s 10-12 (72)

Teams: North: J Simmons,T Spain, D Umback, R Crampton, J Robins, B Price, K Berryman, D Ruddock, J Molloy, C Simmons, T Tiziani, W Walker, K Spencer, A Giblett, B Bearman, D Stephenson, M White, P Cunningham, C Salisbury, K Hoskins (capt), J Ryan, C Spencer (E), M Corey (E), D Gray (E), C Trengove (E). Centrals:  W Murray, F Manoel, C Draper, V Sulicich, A Evans, S Jenkin, C Evans, K Pollard, D Loy, K Lavanda, D Zanette, R Vickers, B Morris (Capt), I Greenwood, J Campbell, G Sandy, A Davis, M Ford, T Sandy, D Draper, M Dally

Umpires: Field: Kym Files Mark Edgecombe Boundary: S Pascoe, D Rogers Goals: P Thomas, D Murphy