Phillip Island Bulldogs started the 2010 season with the Easter Blockbuster against our arch rivals, the Kilcunda-Bass Panthers for the Eric Marks Cup. The sun was out and one of the biggest crowds seen at the Cowes oval had turned out to watch the boys in action. The Island welcomed new players Scott McDonnell and Wesley and Kingsley Bilney to the senior side and welcomed back past players Bill Richardson, Chris Dykes and James Mann.

K-B struck first on the scoreboard before hard work from McDonnell and Captain M. Riky in the centre paid off with McDonnell kicking his first goal in Bulldog colours. Minutes later K. Bilney kicked truly to give the Island a slight lead. K-B fought back with their big men up forward starting to show their presence. In an instance, the Panthers banged on three goals to grab back the lead. Scoring was made difficult with even match ups in the midfield and measly defence from both teams. New assistant coach B.Vernon broke free from his opponent kicking a goal to close the lead before A. Stock marked and goaled to gain a one-point advantage at the qtr time break.

Quarter Time:  Phillip Island 4.3-27 leading Kilcunda-Bass 4.2-26

The 2^nd quarter started with hard running and fast ball movement from both teams providing a spectacle for the crowd. The Panthers kicked the first goal from the quarter to hit the front and followed up with another goal to extend their advantage. If not for the efforts of S. Docherty and C. Dykes down back, the deficit may have been greater.  Z. Vernon was on fire after a big pre-season and was rewarded for his hard work with the Island’s only goal for the term, in what was a low scoring and at times scrappy quarter of football. K-B went into the long break with a slender lead, but the game was well and truly up for grabs.

Half Time:  Phillip Island 5.6-36 trailing Kilcunda-Bass 6.4-40

Both teams came out from their huddles with intent to put a winning score on the board. K-B kicked the first goal after a tense start to the quarter; before K. Bilney added a 2^nd goal and W. Bilney kicked his first to give the lead back to the Island. The Panthers replied with another goal of their own before the Island had a purple patch with S. Murdoch moving up forward and snagging two goals and Stock also slotting a major. S. Riordon was dangerous up field and was well supported by J. Dykes and Marcus Wright who was working into the game.  K-B once again had the answer with their big forwards causing a headache for the Island defenders and minimized the advantage. W. Bilney showed his skill kicking a difficult set shot goal from the boundary which was followed by a bit of magic from Stock, dodging between opponents and snapping a goal to cap off a seven goal quarter for the Bulldogs and giving them the momentum going into the final term.

Three Quarter Time:  Phillip Island 12.7-79 leading Kilcunda-Bass 9.6-60

The Bulldogs started where they left off in the last quarter, with J. Youle running hard to kick a goal and W. Bilney putting one through the big sticks to extend the Island’s lead to 31pts. The Panthers didn’t give up and hit back with a goal, but once again the Island won the disputed ball and two goals to Beau Vernon in as many minutes sealed the game. W. Bilney was in everything up forward and finished off the hard work from the midfield with three goals for the quarter to add to his tally of five for the day. The scoreboard didn’t quite reflect the closeness of the match with the Island running out comfortable 43pt winners. The large crowd were treated to a great match and Kilcunda-Bass must be commended on their efforts and look to be on the rise this year.

Beau Vernon was sensational all day and was awarded the Gary Todd Medal for Best On Ground.

Final Scores:  Phillip Island 18.11-119 leading Stony Creek 11.10-76

Phillip Island
Goal Kickers: W. Bilney 4, A. Stock 3, B. Vernon 3, S. Murdoch 2, K. Bilney 2, J. Youle , C. Terlich , Z. Vernon , S. McDonnell
Best Players: S. McDonnell, S. Riordan, W. Bilney, C. Terlich, M. Riky, C. Dykes

Stony Creek
Goal Kickers: J. Wells 5, P. Lange 2, S. Clark , W. Anderson , L. Smith , C. Endres
Best Players: S. O''Bryan, J. Wells, M. Thompson, D. Wells, D. Foss, B. Hender