General News
7 September, 2023
Dye cast from reserves' opening bounce
CONFIRMATION Pyramid Hill would have another crack at Marong in the Loddon Valley reserves’ grand final was clear from the opening bounce on Sunday. The Bulldogs wasted no time quashing any hopes Maiden Gully had of winning the preliminary final...
CONFIRMATION Pyramid Hill would have another crack at Marong in the Loddon Valley reserves’ grand final was clear from the opening bounce on Sunday.
The Bulldogs wasted no time quashing any hopes Maiden Gully had of winning the preliminary final.
Ashton Dye put in a pearler in the opening term, from the first bounce he directed play down to David Mann who kicked the Bulldogs’ first major of the afternoon.
It would be one of five goals for the term, Mitch Gunther running rampant across the midfield cutting off lunges forward by the Eagles.
Dye’s influence was not restricted to the bounces. Darcy Hetherington slotted the ball across to the ruckman who also put his name on the goalkicking list.
Jack Woodward booted accurately on the run from 40 metres out and then Blake Gibson capped off upfield work by Bradley Moon and Gunther.
Dylan Lovell and Rowan Pollock were among the goalkickers in the second term when the Bulldogs’ defence was only penetrated three times by the Eagles - all behinds although a late kick by Harley McCauley hit the post.
The Eagles, led by Hudson, Anderson and Turner refused to totally capitulate and outscore Pyramid Hill in the third term. But the Eagles were also careless, poorly-directed kicks finding their way straight to Pyramid Hill, including a goal square kickout landing on the chest of Lovell who immediately converted to a major score.
The influence of Dye and Gunther was crucial to limiting Maiden Gully and again it was bigman Dye who set up another Pollock goal.
Nick Skinner quickly opened the Bulldogs’ account in the final quarter. Lovell was soon weaving his magic in front of goal, opponents shepherded out by Pollock, for another major.
Pollock would also bring up a goal in the final term as Pyramid Hill put the game beyond reach, a late goal to Maiden Gully only reducing to margin to under 10 goals.