The Bulldogs secured back-to-back victories for the first time this season last Saturday, defeating the Narrabri Eagles by a comprehensive 83 points in their Tamworth AFL clash.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Following a 20 point win the week before against the Tamworth Swans the Bulldogs now have a firm grip of fourth spot on the ladder having played each team in the competition.
At 125-44 the margin of the score line could have been a lot bigger had the Bulldogs not wasted many opportunities on goal, kicking a total of 17 points for the match.
They did however boot 18 majors, six of which were kicked by small forward Ben Maher who again was a standout at the weekend.
Bulldogs coach Greg Piggott was happy with the win, but did concede his side is still gaining confidence and cohesion in their game plan on a weekly basis.
“Our skills were good again, particularly the first half,” Piggot said.
“We need to continue to work on our game plan and not divert from it.
“Hopefully that improvement will be seen against the top sides in the coming weeks.”
In the first 10 minutes of the match, the Bulldogs blew the Eagles out of the park.
Maher, fellow forward Mitchell Swain and Piggott himself at centre half forward had all landed majors.
At 18-nil it only got better for the Bulldogs, as Piggott landed another two for the quarter, and Swain and Maher one each as the score read 44 points to six at the end of the first term.
The second term followed a similar pattern, and again it was Maher in the thick of things.
His roving ability at ground level was superb, continually winning his own ball and using his speed and agility to out manoeuvre his opponent.
He kicked three of the four goals the Bulldogs kicked for the quarter, and by half time their lead had blown out to 55 points at 80 to 25.
However the second half was a lot more contested against the Bulldogs, as they rested key players nursing slight injuries.
Ruckman, Al Hillard, was one and centre half back James Mack the other who were to take no further part in the match.
At three quarter time the score read 109 to 33, with the injury setbacks it was the likes of Captain Brad Jenkinson and winger Brent Hartley, who found his way into the midfield that lead the way for the Bulldogs.
Best on ground for the day was Hartley, and coach Piggott was rapt with his efforts on the day.
“He won the ball at times when he had no right to.
“He was big today, particularly when we had injuries and had to reshuffle a few blokes.”
He also praised the efforts of his captain.
“Jenko again was huge. He’s consistently one of, if not our best, week to week,” Piggot said.
The Bulldogs head into the next phase of the competition as they reacquaint themselves with the Moree Suns who they beat at Moree to kick start the season.
The game is set down for their annual ladies day, where the Bulldogs, at home, will be looking to make it three wins on the trot to continue their improvement through the season and challenge the top three sides.
