-written by Elizabeth Brown & David Redden
Terrigal Avoca’s solid 48-point victory over Warners Bay at Feighan Oval was completely overshadowed by the massive Warners Bay injury toll. Oscar Anderson (fractured arm), Josh Raineri (shoulder), gun forward Jack Hardman (possible broken arm) and Kobe McClure (ankle) were all first-half casualties on a tough day for Marty Reiman’s men. Our Cup team ended up with 16 fit men on a very tough day at the office, with Lachlan Deverell notching up 100 games for his beloved Bulldogs.
Coach Reiman is also missing regular first-graders Kayne Gibbs, Corey Deverell and David McGuinness as the Bulldogs face up to the powerful Newcastle City next Saturday.
An even Panthers performance was highlighted by tap ruckman Jasper Davis winning the ruck contests in a great duel with Warners Bay’s Tom McDonell, Jayson Van Dam producing a vintage display at centre-half back and the gradual improvement of classy follower James Webster throughout the game.
Scoring was hard to come by as the wind howled off Lake Macquarie all day. Both teams dropped loose men in defence when running into the wind, which was partially responsible for just sixteen goals being kicked in the match.
Burly Panthers forward Dan Heuston led Terrigal Avoca’s goalkickers with three majors, supported by small forward Brandon Thomas with two goals. The Panthers were best served by Jack Grimmond, Webster, Jayson Van Dam, Jack Fitzgerald and Davis.
Luke McKenna and Hardman kicked two goals each for Warners Bay. Jake Roach was outstanding for Warners Bay in his most complete performance for two seasons, tackling, running and putting his body on the line on countless occasions. Luke Roach, McDonell, Nick Turner (who spent time tagging Webster) and Ben Hunter were other good contributors for the luckless Bulldogs. Hunter had a great duel with Chris Bishop and picked up a couple of extremely rare holding the ball decisions on the wily Panthers gaffer.
Next week, our Cup side once again feature in the BARTV Match of the Round, this time a huge clash with local rivals Newcastle City at Newcastle No.1 Sportsground.
WARNERS BAY v. TERRIGAL AVOCA, Round 8 – 02/06/2018
Terrigal Avoca 3.4, 5.7, 7.14, 11.17 (83)
Warners Bay 3.1, 4.3, 4.3, 5.5 (35)
GOALS, Terrigal Avoca :
Daniel Heuston 3, Brandon Thomas 2, Jasper Davis 1, Jack Fitzgerald 1, Matthew Shortal 1, Peter Van Dam 1,
Christopher Bishop 1, Thomas Cresswell 1
Warners Bay :
Luke McKenna 2, Jack Hardman 2, Leo Vo 1
BEST, Terrigal Avoca :
Jack Grimmond, James Webster, Jayson Van Dam, Jack Fitzgerald, Jasper Davis, Christopher Bishop
Warners Bay :
Jake Roach, Luke Roach, Tom McDonell, Nicholas Turner, Ben Hunter, Lachlan Deverell
The Indigenous Round in the GE Women’s Competition saw a number of boosting events occur at Feighan Oval. Wearing the Riley Warner designed jerseys, the girls were treated to an uplifting smoking ceremony prior to the game. If this wasn’t boosting enough, the return of a number of players from injury and sickness, as well as the celebration of two founding players 50th game for the club, was all the team needed to start Round 8 with a spirited first half.
Strong showing from both Kira Jones and Di Crep on the ball got the goals going for the Doggies. With the wind playing havoc by the lake, a slow scoring second quarter saw rookie player Sammy Delaney cement her position as one of the most consistent players for Warner’s Bay this year. Strong through the centre, with a burst of speed at her finger tips, Sammy held the zone and worked well in partnership with Brittany Wood and Amy Pittman, with exciting patches of play.
Returning to the pitch, Tracy Baker-Holmes was a commanding presence on the field, ensuring that the girls hold shape and strength with the ball, spending a majority of the play in the Doggies 50 through the third quarter. The performance was consolidated with a well earned goal, as well as a goal to defensive backbone, Kate Booth.
With the wind and rain coming from behind, the girls utilised some strong passages of play, to move the ball around and move further away from a spirited Terrigal side. Three goals to Amy Pittman, the show of a fantastic performance in all 4 quarters, followed by goals to both Chelsie Scott and Emma Chester gave the Doggies the drive they needed, as they moved closer and closer to singing the club song in the sheds.
Thanks must also go to the Defensive players, who although rarely tested, held strong to lock the ball in the attacking third.
WARNERS BAY v. TERRIGAL AVOCA – Round 8 – 02/06/2018
Warners Bay 2.3, 3.6, 5.7, 10.11 (71)
Terrigal Avoca 1.3, 1.3, 2.4, 2.5 (17)
GOALS, Warners Bay :
Amy Pittman 3, Kate Booth 1, Dianne Crep 1, Kira Jones 1, Tracy Baker 1, Chelsea Scott 1,
Samantha Delaney 1, Emma Chester 1
Terrigal Avoca :
Emily Bryant 2
BEST, Warners Bay :
Kate Booth, Samantha Delaney , Samantha Lawrence, Amy Pittman, Chelsea Scott
Terrigal Avoca :
Isabell Brierley, Emily Bryant, Amber Brierley, Darneka Rowe, Dehann Richardson, Cathrine Grimmond-Lee
In the Plate fixture between Warners Bay and Terrigal Avoca at Feighan Oval, the undefeated Panthers outfit proved too much for a gallant Bulldogs outfit missing some key players due to unavailability and a worrying Cup Squad injury list. Final scores were Terrigal Avoca 12.11.83 to Warners Bay 4.3.27.
After being kept goalless in the first half in blustery conditions at Feighan, the lads showed some real fight in the third quarter, kicking three goals to one downwind to put some pressure on a vastly-experienced Panthers team. Despite a far superior team performance in the second half, Warners Bay ran out of gas late in the last quarter as running into an at-time gale force breeze took its toll.
Our best players on the day were Lachlan Dennis, Jack Downing (who was our only multiple goalkicker with two), Trent Stewart, Ethan Bray, midfielder Luke Needham and key backman Tim Hof.
WARNERS BAY v. TERRIGAL AVOCA
Round 8 – 02/06/2018
Terrigal Avoca 3.2, 7.5, 8.8, 12.11 (83)
Warners Bay 0.2, 0.2, 3.2, 4.3 (27)
GOALS, Terrigal Avoca :
Jackson Farquhar 4, Michael Studdert 3, Mackenzie Leecroft 1, Ryan Shaw 1, Mathew Studdert 1, Samuel Korsch 1,
Stephen Lynch 1
Warners Bay :
Jack Downing 2, Michael Vo 1, Rick Robertson 1
BEST, Terrigal Avoca :
Mackenzie Leecroft, Jesse Petrascu, Samuel Korsch, Joshua Arms, Kenneth Szaladzinski, Ryan Shaw
Warners Bay :
Lachlan Dennis, Jack Downing, Trent Stewart, Ethan Bray, Luke Needham, Tim Hof
Our Plate side has a General Bye this coming Saturday.