The last game for the Bulldogs 2022 season was played in rainy conditions and on a very wet ground. Bright is quick on the field and kicks the ball well.
The Bulldogs found themselves face-to-face with a good team which is ready for finals. It was a hard slog right from the first siren, the ball was heavy and difficult to handle.
Shout-outs to the following Bulldogs players: Josh Montgomery was showing good aggression and great tackling. Kobi Thwaites was again versatile and played well in defence, he kicked our only goal in the last minutes of the fourth. Charlie Bell and Lily Ramsay also stepped up in the difficult conditions.
To the Bulldogs credit there were so many strong individual efforts throughout the game to single out for an award. It was wonderful to watch the Bulldog kids give it their all, they listened to their coaches and kept the pressure on their opponents right to the last minutes of the game.
Finally, a huge thank you to our coaches for the 2022 season Mark Osborne and Jarrad Thwaites — they have been supportive and generous with their time ensuring the under-12 kids had an awesome season.
Final score: Bright 2-8-20 def Benalla Bulldogs 1-1-7
Goalkickers: Kobi Thwaites - 1
Coaches awards: Josh Montgomery, Kobi Thwaites, Charlie Bell, Lily Ramsay
Best players: Josh Montgomery, Kobi Thwaites, Charlie Bell, Joel Lewis, Jackson Fry, Ben Wells
Under-14 Bulldogs
In our final game for the year, we were greeted with very wet and muddy showgrounds. Bright were a team, that while being below us on the ladder, we knew they were not happy they had lost their previous match to us at home, and would be keen to turn the tables.
It was clear from the outset that they’d come to win, and two quick goals in the first quarter to no score had us on the back foot from the start, even though we got close by half-time, their three goals to nothing in the third quarter pretty much ended our game.
Thank you to our wonderful parents for your help and support throughout the year. Shout out to Damien and Kylie White at West End car wash and laundromat, who generously cleaned all of our playing jumpers after today’s game. They were a muddy mess.
Final score: Bulldogs 2.5.17 defeated by Bright 6.8.44
Goalkickers: Jonty Priest 1, Christian Squires 1.
Best players: Toby Reeve, Lucas Ham, Lachlan Glass, Ryder Robertson, Jack Montgomery, Hunter Carter.
Under-12 Giants
Well what an improvement a season can make, our last game against College had us well over 50 points to zero down at half-time.
This time at half time the score was 7 to 21. We were able to challenge them at every contest and restrict their scoring opportunities and hit the scoreboard with two goals ourselves. Take heart little Giants, with the experience and development from this season, the future looks bright.
Final score: Giants 2.3.15 defeated by College 9.6.60
Goalkickers: Mason Willett 1, Harry Bowen 1.
Best players: Xavier DeFazio, Mason Willett, Jakzen Davis, Harry Skelton, Dylan Henshaw, Tom Mount.
Under-14 Giants
The under-14 Giants’ final game in the regular season was played at Benalla Showgrounds against College. The Giants knew it was a must-win game to get into the finals.
They kept College from scoring in the first quarter. The Giants teamwork was outstanding, and the end result was a great win.
The Giants will now head to Wangaratta to play in the first final next Sunday. So proud of all the boys, congratulations.
Final score: Giants 17.8.110 defeated College 3.2.20
Goalkickers: Owain Boyle 5, Max Smyth 4, Mitchell Cooney 2, Cooper Binion 2, Bryce Cooney 1, Xavier Wapling 1, Will Martin 1, Billy Buitenhuis 1.
Best players: Xavier Wapling, Owain Boyle, Josh Hart, Josh Mathieson, Logan Hyland, Cooper Binion.
Under-17 Giants
The Under-17 Giants took on Wang College in cold and wet conditions at the Benalla Showgrounds, in what was set to be another close encounter between the two sides. The first quarter was even, with College holding a seven-point lead at the first change.
College got on top in the second quarter, kicking four goals to take a 28-point lead at half-time.
The Giants came out firing and responded in the third term to only trail by four points at the final break. The last quarter saw both sides throw everything at it, but ultimately the Giants prevailed by one point in a thrilling contest.
The Giants now look forward to taking on the Centrals this Sunday in an elimination final at the Wangaratta Showgrounds.
A huge thank you to all of our parents and volunteers for their amazing help during the season.
Final score: Giants 7.10.52 defeated College 8.3.51
Goalkickers: Sam Cox 3, Tom Binion 2, Max Cullen 1, Hamish Willett 1.
Best players: Ryley Ely, Cooper Gracie, Hamish Willett, Max Cullen, Sam Cox, James Ferguson.
21°C