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A tough match loomed for the Premier Division boys as they came up against defending champions the Manly Warringah Giants who have continued their 2013 form with some great early season results having won all four games leading into last Saturday, two of which were 15 goal margins or larger.
Although the Giants walked away from the Village Green with a fifth win in their pocket, the Bulldogs lost no admirers keeping Manly honest to the end eventually going down 12.14 (86) to 8.7 (55) with just one player on the bench. In a big blow to the dogs stalwart Anthony Rodrigues could be spending some time on the sidelines after leaving the field with a suspected collar bone injury.
In front of a big ladies day crowd at the VG the dogs start off poorly, whilst Manly played some brilliant footy to bang on 6.4 in the first term to lead by 28 at quarter time and make what would ultimately be a decisive break in the match.
With the Gaints having enjoyed some big wins thus far in 2014 the early signs had the Bulldogs supporters nervous and this feeling was magnified when Rodrigues was taken into the sheds early in the second quarter. But the dogs showed some real spirit and worked their way back into the contest - they would win the second quarter (only the third quarter Manly have lost all season) and go the main break just 16 points adrift at 54-38. This game was well and truly on and you could feel the momentum with the dogs.
As the wind continued to gust around the VG and some light drizzle began to fall the third quarter turned into an old fashioned arm wrestle. With both teams desperate in defence and putting pressure on the ball carrier the only goal of the quarter belonged to Manly. The margin pushed slightly out to 23 at the final break. It was still not a decisive lead but with the scoring drying up and legs getting more and more tired it was going to need a huge effort to get over the line.
It wasn't to be for the Bulldogs. The final quarter saw UNSW-ES throw everything they could out at the defending champions, but were unable to make any headway into the lead. The away team got the points 86-55 but the dogs could hold their heads high knowing they pushed Manly the whole way. For the Bulldogs Ryan Plant was best afield with his run off the half back line whilst Alex Henderson performed well. Cameron McKinlay was rewarded for some good work in the forward line and finished with two goals.
On face value three straight losses is not what coach Dan Lynch and his boys were looking for, but it must be noted that they have been against the top three teams from 2013. Next week they come against arch rivals North Shore, another team that is locked at 2-3.
Last Modified on 06/05/2014 21:15