Bulldogs Blitzkreig !
Opening quarter of the Opening round saw a blistering start to the CAFL 2017 season by the reigning Premiers the Bulldogs versus last years runner up the Cougars. There high attendance and long pre- season training paid dividends with their linking play from the opening goal from the ruck to hands two kicks to clean mark and goal by Sully. Bang bang again, bang bang again. The centre play clearance was impressive either through Kyle or Hayes and the quick delivery into the fast forwards kept the Cougars defence on the back foot. Bulldogs kicking 3 goal 4 to 0.
The Cougars sprung to life in the second quarter and Read started organising their midfield with Cargill and suddenly the stakes were getting higher. The return of The Dev was great to watch as his sneaky u-turns would have put the Queen Mary to shame. Goal of the day went to a un-numbered Cougar newcomer Shaun Harrington?? who was awarded a free kick 55metres out, took 2 steps and banged the goal through. The play around the ground evened up and Humey’s took some solid marks and kicked truly out of defence combining well with Richards.
Second half saw the Bulldogs accurate kicking, talent for Africa and direct corridor play blow the game open. Great to see some awesome Speccies (spectacular marks) and some monster kicks. The Bulldogs running out easy winners 15 goals 11 points 101 d Cougars 5 goals 5 points 35.
Blues are B.I.T. Back in town !
If the Blues keep this team together they could be nick-named the Phoenix. Rising from the ashes of last year they look a force to be reckoned with. With Talent in key positions the delivery of the ball into the forward line was like Melbourne suburban footy at times. With ink still drying in Jay Johnsons passport he was carving up the midfield like he was at the International Cup last week and combining with Bowden and Benny they were hitting the resurrected Fisher lace out who put on some good old strong hard leads from the goal line. Some handy recruiting from Sumner rugby club has proved a windfall for the Blues with strong marking in front of goal and straight kicking. Courty was everywhere as usual soaking up the loose balls and made it very hard for the Eagles to find Van Olphen in the goal.
For the Eagles Boony was everywhere working hard all over the ground and Clint enjoyed a roll in the dirt with his best mate Fisher, but it was a hard day at the office for the underpowered Eagles. Final score Blues 16 16 118 d Eagles 3 3 21
by Steve Langridge
Last Modified on 08/12/2020 20:21