Junior Coaches Barks
Weekly updates from our junior coaches
Under 17's: Brodie Flude
Bulldogs vs Tigers
Went into the game a bit light on for troops with no bench but that did not stop the boys coming out with intent and confidence to start the game which carried on throughout the first and into the second with good passages of play. The defence kept us in the game with a very strong stand in the third letting us hit the scoreboard to only keep in to a four goal margin going into the last change. We kept pace with the Tigers in the last be unfortunately weren't able to cut into the margin. I am really happy with how the boys played, learning from the first time we played them. Looking forward to the week ahead where we take on the suns away.
Youth Girls: Jessee Gwynne
Played in a combined game on Maggie Island at the Sealink Carnival. Not all of our girls were able to attend due to playing commitments in their respective teams.
Under 15's: Ben Payne
Bulldogs v Tigers
Congrats, we are certainly starting to emerge and mesh everyone into the team and today was a big step forward.
Well done to Daniel and Riley on their first games today, I certainly hope you enjoyed it.
We really set the tone against the Tigers today and it was all set up beautifully from defence. Keeping the Tigers score less in the first half thanks to Kasey, Jayde who was superb at full back, Duncan, Zac, Reuben, Tobi and a few others.
Kyan was awesome with his ruck work and Allan, Christian, Ethan, Tylor and Eliey were beneficiaries.
Daniel worked hard and most of us were amazed that was his first game with his positioning, usage of the ball and general team work.
Mitch, Jules, Jake, Lachie Tapp, Jack, Josiah, Paddy all topped off a great team performance with some great moments including Jake's crunching tackle in defence.
Last but not least it was a wonderful day but a sad day with Jett and Tobi both playing their last game for the club before moving back to Victoria showed fantastic spirit and played out of their skins, I heard Jett saying " I love beating the Tigers" which is borne from a great rivalry over many years.
Final score 9.10. 64 to 2.4.16, Daniel Murtha won the Superman ball for the week whilst Jayde won the MVP award for his great defensive display.
Next week we have the Northern Beaches Suns at North Shore at 10.10 am so we need to be there by 9.10 am.
Under 13's: Reiley Guest
Match report, Round 4
Back on the inside oval, we were keen to continue our form from last week.
Using a game plan we’d begun learning during the week, we were able to use the ball effectively from half-back, with Ethan Schutz and Jordan Murtha finding plenty of space and providing heaps of run, which allowed Lachlan Jones and Shiobahn Ross plenty of time around goals. We were able to take our chances and kick straight, giving us a five-goal lead at quarter-time.
Looking to cash in on our strong performance in the first quarter, everyone thought they’d be able to kick their own goal, which meant that we clogged up our forward line and were unable to score a major in the second term. Fortunately, our defence was on top of their game, repelling every attack and not letting Curra get a shot goal. Jade Walkom continued her improvement as a lock down defender, winning a number of crucial contests and going a good job of keeping on her feet.
After half-time we started to get back to where we were in the first term, though with Curra increasing their intensity we were up for a real fight. Ryder Tattle continued to dominate on a wing, tackling strongly and using the ball well, while Morgan Payne took a sensational mark and shortly followed it up with a very skillful goal. Curra were able to get through for their first goal of the game, but we were able to work hard into the fourth quarter, spreading when we had the footy, running back to help out our team mates, and finding different avenues to goal to secure a good win.
Plenty of hard work still to do but there were a heap of promising signs, hopefully we can continue to play how we did in the first quarter and start replicating that for four quarters.
Thanks to all the parents and volunteers for all their help. See you all next week when we take on the Suns up at their home ground.
Under 11's Blue: Rick Green
The Bulldogs Blues travelled to picturesque Magnetic Island for the annual Sealink Carnival for what was a fantastic day of footy for everyone involved. The ride across the bay was a little bumpy but luckily none of the team suffered as a result.
Our first match for the day was against the Tigers who gave us a great contest but it was one way traffic with Captain James leading the charge, Connor B giving us first use of the ball and multiple goals to Bryce and Nate had us holding the advantage in the first half. Some slick handballs out of the pack from Rebecca released our runners and it was more of the same in the second half with everyone contributing to a great result for our first game.
Captain Lucas led us into the fray for our very physical match against the Bombers. We knew they came to play and their intensity and ferocity in the first half had us on the back foot somewhat, but to everyone on our teams credit, we banded together and took it back to them in the second half. Jack was in under the pack and scored his first goal of the season, James, Reiden and Josh showed absolutely no fear tackling everyone (including a goal post at one point!!) and Jackson, after taking a pretty big knock stood tall and out played them at every opportunity. We played our game, our way and it made me proud of every single member of the team in the way they conducted themselves.
Game three was our second match of the season against the Suns Red and it was a great way to see just how far we have come in a few short weeks. Our captain Brae led the way with his courageous attack on the ball and Lucas, Ryan and Kye impressed with the way they read the play and positioned themselves in attack and defence. Our forward line shone with Connor S, Bodhi, Nick and Eden linking together and bamboozling the Suns. Dannon stood out with great footwork, attack at the ball and ruckwork leading to hit first couple of goals for the year.
Well done to everyone, thank you to all of the parents who helped out on the day and to Magnetic Island for providing a great location, great food and live music to set the atmosphere for a fantastic day of footy.
Under 11's Red: Daniel Ponti
Awaiting
Under 9's: Robert Lambert
What an adventure! Finding car parks, getting mixed up with the Palm Island ferry and suffering our first casualty on the boat with Ryland becoming seasick on the way as the ferry rolled back and forth across sea. With all the booking of tickets, organising buses, it was all worth it as our junior pups ran out together for the first of four games. Thanks to all our parents and supporter who on the day set up camp with drinks, sandwiches and treats for the players and the coach. With the smaller than usual grounds, the game was tight and congested and we lost our trademark run and carry we have been practising. Keep your calendars free on the 15th June, Suns vs Saints AFL game, there something special happening with the u9’s. More information to follow. Hawks at Uni next week.
Under 7's: Joshua Hollis
Starting on May 24