After a fantastic fighting effort last week, the Reserves entered a rematch of the final round clash against Inverloch for the cut-throat first semi-final.
A tougher assignment was expected for the Round 18 clash, with the Sea Eagles seeing a return of a bunch of players from either injury or the senior side bolstering their stocks.
A couple of key returns for the Bulldogs saw almost certainly the best side for the season for the doggies.
With the Sea-Eagles getting the early jump with the first few scoring shots and an early lead, the Bulldogs fought back hard.
Jarrod Witnish was outstanding in the middle, with his new side-kick Noah Bee-Hickman outstanding as well.
Assistant senior coach Daniel Larsson led the defence, with the Bulldogs only three behind at the first break 16-13.
The second was pretty much all Inverloch, but inaccurate kicking cost them a sizeable lead.
Kicking one goal six against the Bulldogs one goal, tight defence certainly contributed to the pressure in the opposition.
Tom Niven and Kirby Fuller in particular pushed hard, and the half break saw an eight point, 28-20 lead.
In the third, the Sea Eagles were able to lead the charge with a couple of goals, extending the lead out to 20 points.
Not to be outdone, the Bulldogs continued to fight, with Saxon Mau dominating in the middle and evergreen Dean (General) Blake contributing all over the field including a sensational late goal.
So, for all their dominance early, the Bulldogs pegged back the opposition to a 42-30 margin at the last.
The final stanza opened with a fantastic Bulldog goal, and it was game on.
With Robbie Linford playing a great game, and Tully Dickie roaming through the backline, the Bulldogs looked to be the goods.
But with a steadying goal from the opposition, the Bulldogs challenge was snuffed out, with Inverloch running out victors by 21 points in the end.
So, the Reserves season came to an end.
A fantastic effort to progress so far into the finals, having seen in the order of 60 players lining up for the Bulldogs during the season.
Coaches Nicolaci and Taylor are to be congratulated on the development of the team, and big things are in store for 2024.
Scores:
Phillip Island: 2.1.13, 3.2.20, 4.6.30, 5.6.36
Inverloch-Kongwak: 2.4.16, 3.10.28, 5.12.42, 7.15.57
Goals:
Phillip Island: Dean Blake, Saxon Mau, James Nicolaci, Dylan Susic, Jarrod Witnish - 1
Inverloch-Kongwak: Dylan Taylor – 3, Zachary Caughey – 2, Lucas McMillan, James Scott - 1
Best Players:
Phillip Island: Daniel Larsson, Rob Linford, Jarrod Witnish, Thomas Niven, Noah Bee-Hickman, Kirby Fuller
Inverloch-Kongwak: Todd Mackie, Corey Casey, Ashton Hewitson, Campbell Scott, Jacob Strickland, Josh Williams
