General News
5 September, 2024
Knight of valour: Bulldogs into grand final
MARONG will rue two critical mistakes just before half-time of the second semi-final at Bridgewater, with their second loss to Pyramid Hill this season costing the Panthers direct entry into the grand final. As the clock ticked down in the first...
MARONG will rue two critical mistakes just before half-time of the second semi-final at Bridgewater, with their second loss to Pyramid Hill this season costing the Panthers direct entry into the grand final.
As the clock ticked down in the first half, full-forward Kane Robins marked about 15 metres out from goal and after a stuttering run up kicked the ball into the man on the mark.
A goal would have put Marong 21 points up on a wild and windy day when scoring was extremely tough.
Immediately afterwards, Ryley Taylor won a free kick almost in the goal square, but inexplicably played on and the ball was touched off his boot.
If a dominant Marong had not missed those two simple chances, the match might have been effectively over.
Instead, Pyramid Hill swept the ball forward and a neat snap from Gavin James brought the Bulldogs within 11 points at the main break.
Pyramid Hill looked outclassed in the first quarter, with Marong on top all over the field and taking a 20-point lead into the second term. The Bulldogs lost Jack Timmins to concussion during the opening quarter, which limited their interchanges for the rest of the match.
While the wind raged mainly across the ground, there was a slight advantage to the highway end, but Pyramid Hill smashed open the game in the third term kicking the other way, scoring 3.2 to 0.3 and snatching the lead at three-quarter time.
The Bulldogs defence, led by centre half-back Tom McGregor, was impassable in the third quarter, and rugged wingman Ben Knight marshalled a stunning fightback from the on-ball brigade.
The Panthers, having lost only once in three seasons – to Pyramid Hill in round 12 this year – were under siege, and their structure and ball use fell away as the Bulldogs took a six-point margin into the last quarter.
A brilliant snap over the shoulder increased Pyramid Hill’s margin at the start of the final term, and try as Marong might, the Bulldogs could not be caught, with a goal after the siren securing a 13-point win.
Pyramid Hill now goes into the grand final on September 14 with a great chance to win a first senior flag since 1950, when the club played in the now defunct Mitiamo District League.
The Panthers regroup to face Bridgewater in the preliminary final after a tough day for the club.