IT WAS a tough start to the season for the Kennel losing every single game in the first round, on the field and almost on the courts - the U11 netballers landing a draw.
Despite a competitive opening, Phillip Island’s senior footballers were ultimately overrun by Nar Nar Goon on Saturday, falling by 67 points in front of a home crowd at Cowes Recreation Reserve. The final scoreline of 17.18 (120) to 7.11 (53) didn’t quite tell the full story of a game that saw the Bulldogs match their opponents early before Nar Nar Goon totally ran away.
The first quarter was a genuine arm-wrestle, with both teams heading into the break locked at 3.1 (19) apiece. Phillip Island looked sharp, with strong ball movement and solid efforts from experienced heads and promising youngsters alike. Billy Taylor, Jack Taylor, and Jaymie Youle all slotted goals to keep Island in touch, while Cameron Pedersen added a composed finish to round out the term.
However, the second quarter proved costly. Nar Nar Goon shifted gears, piling on eight goals to zero as they seized control of the match. Phillip Island struggled to win clearances and maintain structure behind the ball, allowing the visitors to break through and score with regularity. The Bulldogs were kept goalless for the term and managed only two behinds, going into halftime trailing by 54 points.
To their credit, the young Island side showed resilience in the third term. Billy Taylor kicked truly twice, and with Jay Ladson and others hitting the scoreboard, the Bulldogs managed three goals to two and cut into the margin.
Unfortunately, the momentum didn’t carry into the final term. Nar Nar Goon reasserted their dominance, kicking another four goals to finish the match strongly, while Phillip Island could only manage one more through Taylor – his third for the afternoon.
Best players for the Bulldogs included Coby Olarenshaw, Cooper Walton, Daniel Pearce, Mikka Paulsen, Jaymie Youle and Jay Ladson.
It was a tough day overall for the club, with Phillip Island losing every football and netball match across all grades. The Under 18s suffered a heartbreaking one-point loss in a spirited performance that typified the day – full of effort, but not quite enough to secure the win.
With many young guns gaining experience, the Bulldogs remain optimistic as they build towards a more consistent season.
