The Premier Division Bulldogs finals chances have been dealt a big blow after going down last Sunday to the Campbelltown Blues by 3 points at the Village Green. Despite five consecutive losses coming into the fixture, the Bulldogs had been playing reasonable football without getting over the line – All losses had been by 31 points or less and they had played the top four sides on the ladder during this period.
Coming up against 9th placed Campbelltown - 1 win, 6 losses coming into the match - this was a good opportunity to get back in touch with the top five and start putting the season on track. Despite getting on top in the second quarter and opening up a 21 point half-time lead the Blues clawed their way back into the game to take the lead by three quarter time and held on grimly for a 13.13 (91) – 13.10 (88) victory.
The dogs had most of the play in the second quarter and despite putting on 5 goals to 1 would have gone into the sheds at the half time break feeling they could've been a few more goals in front. Full credit must go to the boys from the west who hung tight under fire and then responded in the third quarter with their 5 goal to 1 term to restore the margin to 5 points (68-63) at the final break – the same margin at the end of the first quarter.
The final quarter was played at a high energy with both teams well aware of the importance of gaining the four points for their season. UNSW-ES got the better of the visitors slightly with 4 goals to 3 but it wasn't enough to overhaul the margin and they went down by 3 points. Another heartbreaking loss just two games after going down to four points against North Shore.
For the Bulldogs Tim Cummins was excellent with five goals while James Pascoe's move forward continues to pay dividends with enough three goals to his name. Jeremy Daniher and Hayden Nichols were the best afield.
With the ladder now starting to take shape the Bulldogs find themselves in 7th position on 8 points but were given assistance with both 5th (Sydney Uni - 14 points) and 6th (North Shore – 12 points) recording losses themselves. The top four have seperated them from the competition giving every game extra significance for those in the battle for fifth. After a weekend off for representative football, the dogs will play St George in two weeks time.
Last Modified on 05/06/2014 21:34