Reserves - 2nd Elimination Final (21st August 2010)
Phillip Island v Fish Creek (Foster Showgrounds)

Phillip Islandchallenged Fish Creek in the Reserves Elimination Final at Foster on Saturday. After scraping into the final six, the Island looked the goods in the opening term, kicking the first two goals with the wind through stalwarts Piera and Huther. Fish Creek had the reply moments later and followed up with another shortly after to gain the lead. Both sides seemed to adjust to the conditions and handled the slippery ball quite well. Murphy was in the thick of it in the first quarter for the Bulldogs, and Richardson was in fine touch. For Fish Creek, regular senior player Park was prominent, and was well supported by Bawden and Mueller. Scoring was halted for the rest of the quarter as the number of contests built up.

Fish Creek took full advantage of the strong breeze in the 2^nd quarter, with Smith proving a handful for the Island defence. He provided a big target up forward and slotted two majors for the quarter. If not for the efforts of Hale at half back repelling many Fish Creek attacks, the Island may have been in big trouble. Murphy continued to excel for the Bulldogs, who were unable to convert on their forward entries. On the other hand, Fish Creek made the most of their opportunities and deserved the handy lead they took into half time.

Phillip Island fought back after half time, with a mark and goal to Huther giving the side a spark. Potter started to dominate the hitouts, Richardson’s influence increased and Emery worked himself into the game. Great team work by the Bulldogs resulted in a goal to Turner to reduce the deficit, before J.Docherty converted a set shot to gain the lead. But Fish Creek once again had Phillip Island’s measure, producing back to back goals to regain the advantage. A free kick in the goal square gave Turner his 2^nd goal for the quarter, and bridged the gap going into the final change.

It was always going to be tough for Phillip Island to come from behind against the wind, and this wind advantage proved too much as Fish Creek managed the only goal of the quarter. In a scrappy quarter of football compared to the rest of the match, the Bulldog’s could only managed a solitary behind at the midway point of the term, whilst Fish Creek were able to produce a goal to seal the deal. So the Phillip Island Reserves side’s season is over and Fish Creek live to fight another day.

Reserves: Phillip Island 6.7-43 lost to Fish Creek 8.4-52
Phillip Island

Goal Kickers:S. Huther 2, J. Turner 2, L. Piera , J. Docherty
Best Players: K. Murphy, B. Hale, B. Richardson, J. Docherty, J. Emery, K. Taylor

Fish Creek
Goal Kickers:S. Smith 2, B. Mitchell 2, C. Brown , C. Bawden , B. Roberts , C. Park
Best Players: C. Bawden, P. Mueller, C. Park, S. Ellicott, A. Ireland, L. Pratt

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