Seniors - Round 9 (29th May 2010)
Phillip Island v Tarwin (Home)
View Current Ladder and Results

Phillip Island faced Tarwin this week in the 3^rd vs 4^th clash at the Cowes Oval. The match started with both sides trying to stamp their authority with hard contests and hard running. Tarwin struck first on the scoreboard, before the Island’s Robinson kicked a good goal on the run. The run provided by C.Dykes was a welcome return to the side, whilst the usual suspects in Riky and B.Vernon were doing their best to get the ball going the Island’s way. The Sharks kicked another and looked to have the measure of the home side, before the Bulldogs fought back with a goal via Murphy to take a slight lead into quarter time.
Q-time score:
Phillip Island 2.6.18 - Tarwin 2.1.13

The 2^nd quarter lived up to the match’s expectations with a good contest between two of the league’s finals contenders. Potter started to get on top in the ruck but the talented Tarwin onballers still managed to clear the ball out of the centre. McDonnell goaled for the Island to extend the lead but Tarwin clawed their way back and kicked two quick goals to gain back the advantage. Weir got his name on the board with a clever goal before S.Docherty goaled to create a handy buffer. L.Cleeland, in his senior debut, was adjusting to the tempo of senior football and started to have an impact on the wing. Towards the end of the quarter the Bulldogs had most of the play, but inaccurate kicking for goal kept the Sharks in the game. They goaled in time on and the contest was now well and truly alive at half time.
Half-time score:
Phillip Island 5.11.41 - Tarwin 5.3.33

After half time, the Island lads increase their work rate and applied intense pressure on the opposition. This caused mistakes and shots on goal, particularly from the kick outs where the Bulldogs were in control. Murdoch was providing plenty of drive into the forward line, where Weir finished off the hard work up field, with two goals to start the quarter. Hale moved forward and a strong mark and goal increased the lead further and put the Bulldogs in a good position to run away with the game. Robinson’s work in this quarter was priceless, as he constantly got the side out of tight situations and cleared the ball out of the congestion. McDonnell was having a great game and kicked two goals towards the end of the quarter, but Tarwin kicked their only goal for the quarter to hold on to a slight chance of an upset. If not for the home side’s inaccurate kicking for goal throughout the match, the game would have been done and dusted by 3q time.
3q-time score:
Phillip Island 10.20.80 - Tarwin 6.6.42

The Island continued to dominate in the last quarter, with McDonnell kicking his fourth goal to seal the deal and then Cleeland capped off a solid debut by kicking his first senior goal. Weir also kicked his fourth goal in a great return to form and the Tarwin side showed little resistance, although they managed to snag two goals for the quarter. After being beaten in the first quarter, Z.Vernon bounced back and kept Tarwin’s dangerous goal sneak Bergles quiet for the rest of the game. Mann showed his worth as one of the best full backs in the league, shutting down leading goal kicker Alby Russell by keeping him goalless. These contributions together with an overall team effort provided a fantastic win for the young Phillip Island side, but one that could have been much bigger with improved accuracy in front of goal.

Seniors: Final scores: Phillip Island 13.27-105 def Tarwin 8.8-56
Phillip Island
Goal Kickers: S. McDonnell 4, J. Weir 4, S. Docherty , L. Cleeland , B. Hale , J. Robinson , K. Murphy
Best Players: B. Vernon, J. Mann, K. Murphy, Z. Vernon, B. Potter, S. McDonnell

Tarwin
Goal Kickers: K. Bergles 3, J. Cann 3, T. Cameron , S. McMicking
Best Players: T. Cameron, K. Holden, T. Harley, T. Williamson, R. Houston, K. Bergles