PYRAMID Hill coach Nathan Fitzpatrick certainly didn’t see it coming and even the most fanatical Marong supporter probably wouldn’t have predicted it.
Marong’s 47-point demolition of Pyramid Hill in last Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash grounded a previously full of confidence Bulldogs’ side and confirmed there remains a large gap between the reigning premier Panthers and the rest of the chasing pack.
The 13.11 (89) to 5.2 (32) victory all but sealed the minor premiership for the Panthers – they’re now two games and 24 per cent clear of the second-placed Bulldogs. 
“They (Marong) were a lot slicker than us,’’ Fitzpatrick lamented.
“Out of stoppage they handballed their way out well and had some really good plays. Every time we had a similar opportunity we butchered the handball through their pressure, but also due to our lack of quality disposal.
“In the first half there was enough quality opportunities both ways, but they were slicker. In the third quarter they won centre clearances and locked the ball in their forward half really well. There was probably a 15-minute period where we didn’t have an inside (forward) 50. “We’ve got a bit of work to do.”
The normally free-scoring Bulldogs were choked by Marong’s disciplined team defence.
Marong key defender Brodie Hartland did a great job of quelling the impact of Pyramid Hill key forward Ben Bisset. It was the first game this season that Bisset hasn’t kicked multiple goals.
“They set up very well defensively and they’re able to slingshot their offence off that and we were a bit reactive,’’ Fitzpatrick said.
“The times we were able to get good one-on-one looks we dropped the mark or had a poor kick. You can’t do that against a quality side.”
Midfielder/forward Ryley Taylor was superb for the Panthers, while big men Michael Bradbury and Matt Willox had a crucial impact on the game.
The Bulldogs had few four-quarter contributors. Midfielder Ben Knight (three goals) was clearly their best player, Kai Daniels continued his consistent form and Dylan Morison battled hard. 
Marong won both home and away encounters against the Bulldogs by a combined margin of 89 points.
“We’ll have a good look at the footage together this week,’’ Fitzpatrick said.
“It comes down to me, but also the group, to decide what the best method is going forward because what we did this time didn’t work.
“We’ll have a good deep and meaningful conversation I think.”
Should the two teams meet again in the finals, the Bulldogs will regain some key players.
Ruckman Lachlan Sidebottom (back) didn’t play the second half on Saturday, while midfield trio Steve Gunther, Brodie Carroll and Seb Relouw are travelling overseas and won’t return in time for the club’s key games against fellow top-five teams Bridgewater, BL-Serpentine and Inglewood.
The Panthers won despite the absence of suspended skipper Nathan Devanny and swingman Shaun Knott.
“No excuses, we still had enough cattle,’’ Fitzpatrick said of the absentees. They outplayed us and were too good.”