Sport
4 June, 2026
Slim time for Dogs
WHEN a match is decided by the smallest possible margin, as it was between Pyramid Hill and Macorna on Saturday, the smallest of events take on great significance.
WHEN a match is decided by the smallest possible margin, as it was between Pyramid Hill and Macorna on Saturday, the smallest of events take on great significance.
A 50m penalty conceded by the Tigers in the last quarter that led to a goal; Macorna coach Fergus Payne missing a kick off the ground in the goal square, a behind to Macorna that didn’t count because of an infringement upfield. Those incidents, and a host of free kicks in a game that seemed to be constantly at the mercy of the umpires’ whistles, were crucial in a game of endless ebb and flow that the Bulldogs finally edged.
Pyramid Hill’s player stocks were tested by injuries and absences, with the club calling on three players from Hay in the Central Murray league for one-off games.
The match was nip-and-tuck all day, with torrential rain in the third quarter stilling the wind that had favoured the southern end of the ground.
The Tigers led by five points at the last change and pushed the margin out to two goals before Pyramid ruckman Will Quinlivan goaled from a free and James won the 50m penalty that resulted in a major to Zach Alford which levelled the score.
Macorna’s Spiros Sklavenitis took a strong contested mark for a goal, which was soon cancelled out by Bulldog Declan Watson, one of the Hay contingent.
A rushed behind put the visitors a point in front before Watson dropped a mark but recovered and kicked his fourth for the game.
Tigers spearhead Dimitri Fasoulis had a shot at goal that faded away for a behind, but it was recalled for a free to Pyramid Hill.
In a frantic finish, the Bulldogs scrambled two more behinds before Fasoulis kicked a fine running goal seconds before the siren sounded leaving the Tigers a point behind.
Captain Toby Whinfield did an outstanding job on Jhye Baddeley-Kelly, holding him to one goal before the Bulldogs star moved into the midfield for the second half.
Fellow defender Josh Whittle was also impressive, with young Sam Whinfield showcasing his elite skill again.
Pyramid midfielder Isaac Brill, who has been superb this year, is overseas and will not return until the end of June.
Initially he was going to travel with James Sala, another recruit who has dominated this season, but fortunately for Pyramid, Sala will now not travel until Brill’s return.
Bulldogs coach Jarrod Fitzpatrick said player numbers would be tight for the post-bye clash with Newbridge, which he said was a danger game.
But he said if the team could win that match and turn 8-1 at the halfway mark of the season, he would be delighted, and in a better spot than he hoped before the year began.
Read More: Pyramid Hill, Macorna