Reserves:
Another vital game for the Bulldogs reserves, this week up against fifth placed Koo Wee Rup, providing an early taste of finals-like football.
Highlight before the game was the afore-mentioned tributes to great Robbie Linford.
And it certainly was a finals-like game, with the Demons taking up it right up to the Bulldogs.
Holding the Bulldogs to only three points in the first half of football, the Demons were able to move out to a 16 point half time lead.
The Bulldogs came back in the second half, particularly in the last quarter with a string of goals getting to withing 10 points of the Demons at the final siren.
Jett McMillan played his best game for the Reserves since graduating from the Under 18s in 2023, providing a target in the forward line as well as working hard around the ground.
Hunter Clark continued his impressive return to football with an outstanding all-round effort, whilst Tom Niven showed why he continued to be in consideration for more senior football in 2023.
Ever green Dean Blake was superb leading the Bulldogs renaissance in the second half, whilst Robbie Linford showed that there was still more to come.
Leon Matthews continued his strong season with a typically tough-as-boots display, and Noah-Bee-Hickman continued to ensure his name was in consideration at a senior level.
So, with an excellent second half of the third and fourth quarters, the Bulldogs were able to get close.
Proof enough that a full-game effort should ensure an even tighter match-up against the Demons in what could be a knock-out final in a couple of weeks’ time!
Scores:
Phillip Island: 0.2.2, 0.3.3, 1.4.10, 4.4.28
Koo Wee Rup: 2.5.17, 2.7.19, 4.7.31, 5.8.38
Goals:
Phillip Island: Noah Bee-Hickman, Leonn Matthews, Jett McMillan and Thomas Niven – 1.
Koo Wee Rup: Matthew Di Blasé, Brannon Harrison, Benjamin Miller, Kyle Van der Pluym and Brodie Yapp – 1.
Best Players:
Phillip Island: Jett McMillan, Hunter Clarke, Thomas Niven, Dean Blake, Rob Linford and Saxon Mau.
Koo Wee Rup: Leigh Tannahill, Corey Potrich, John Ramos, Bailey Perry, Samuel Cox and Cody Miller.
