-written by Kate Booth and David Redden
In the ANZAC Tribute Match in the Black Diamond Cup played at Feighan Oval in front of a healthy crowd, a superb Cardiff defensive performance led the Hawks to their third successive victory to start the season. Cardiff kept Warners Bay goal-less in their 13.17.95 to 0.8.8 victory.
ANZAC Day Medallist Jack Lennon kicked four goals for Cardiff in an excellent display. Small forward Lachlan Price kicked three goals and key forward Josh Murphy two.
Cardiff’s back six, already a slick outfit, have been further strengthened by the inclusion of Queensland representative backman Nick Tomlinson. Tomlinson’s combination with Zac Metcalfe, Chad Mayo, Liam Gibson and Brandt Job was too much for the Bulldogs, who had key forward Kayne Gibbs surrounded by two or three Hawks backmen at every contest.
Fullback Linc Stewart, Riley Warner, ruckman Tom McDonell and Lachlan Deverell were all good players for the Bulldogs. Stewart played in front all day and was clearly responsible for keeping Cardiff to a reasonable score. Youngster Warner did some damage with his run and carry from defence. McDonell rucked virtually all day, against two fine ruckmen in Yensch and Andrew Walker, and enjoyed a healthy advantage in the tap outs. Deverell never stopped trying and must have had 30 touches deep in defence.
David McGuinness started off like a house on fire before picking up a serious head cut late in the first quarter, Coogs saw out the game swathed in bandages but stuck at his task very well.
Round 3 of the GE Womens Competition finally saw a much-appreciated cool change as the women took to their home ground against Cardiff on the weekend. It was another close and competitive game for the Bulldogs, with the girls driving home the win in the end.
Although the girls had the ball locked in their forward line for the most part of the first quarter, they were unable to lock in a goal, leaving the score 5-0. The second quarter told a different story with key player and ruck, Di Crep, securing the Doggies first goal with a shot from in front of the posts, taking the score to 12 (1.6) -1 (0.1) at half time.
After the break new recruit and gun forward pocket, Sammy Delaney, snapped a goal extending the Bulldogs lead to 19-1. The Hawks were however not giving up that easy, holding possession and scoring the next three consecutive goals, taking the lead in the fourth quarter, 20-21.
The final 10 minutes of the game had spectators on the edge of their seat. The Bulldogs remained strong on their home turf, when consistent midfielder Amy Pittman chipped a match-winning goal, to take the Doggies to a win, 3.8.26 to 3.3.21.
Pittman was an undeniable standout for the Bulldogs on her birthday, consistently pushing through the contest and feeding the ball through the midfield and into the forward line.
She was well supported by Kira Jones on the wing, the commitment and speed of Caitlin Wolfe through the centre and consistency from Sammy Delaney in the forward pocket.
In the Plate fixture, our undermanned Bulldogs tried their best but were eventually no match for reigning premiers Cardiff, going down 18.15.123 to 0.0.0.
Injuries to key players didn’t help, with stand-in coach Daniel Gray suffering a concussion early and taking no further part in the game.
The Bulldogs best players were Josh Buchanan, Murray Younger, Adam Lowe, Angus Lodge, Lachlan Dennis and Trent Stewart.
This week, the Cup side has the Bye whilst the Womens and Plate sides heading to Bill Elliott Oval in Maryland to take on League newcomers Wallsend-West Newcastle.