It was a great Sunday of footy at Connell Park as the weather delivered a perfect winters day. Grafton Tigers made the trip down the highway to take on the doggies at home. The spectators were given a great morning of high quality, full intensity footy and both sides arm wrestled for the win.
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The Under 15s played in a must win encounter for both sides. What followed was four quarters of brilliant, hard at the ball football from both teams. Isaac Malt marked his return from injury with an inspired ruck effort. Ryan Hooper, Cam and Luke Greenwood and Kyan Upsall stood tall and played wonderful team footy. Ben Luppi played intelligent, disciplined footy all day and Harrison Lee was awarded the Gelato Bar Award for extraordinary leadership and a forty plus possession game. The Doggies triumphed in a never say die performance.
In the under 11s Bellingen enjoyed their fifth win of the season. Jarrah Whitmore, Leon Leek and Wilbur Carter-Lynch all kept the goal umpires busy, while Alex Dyson and Hugh McFarlane both registered a goal each. Quinn Doolan was the standout player for the Bulldogs, showing dramatic improvement in contested possession and disposals. Joe Tobey took the big step up from the under 9s to play his first ever game of under 11s and didn't look out of place. Evie Laverty and Tabitha Ladi took home the Gelato Bar vouchers for showing determination and skills during the game.
In the under 13s it was a battle with both teams in the top four. We all anticipated the game was going to be a cracker and it didn’t disappoint.
Sam Perott was the standout forward in the first half while Lukey Ivy was providing dash out of the backline, Grafton was four goals up at half time as they looked to have the Bulldogs measure. However after the break the Bulldogs came out firing with Nick Fairbanks and Cam Greenwood starting to win the centre clearance along with Flynn Schreenan proving a target up forward.
The last quarter was tense with the Bulldogs getting within four points of the tigers thanks to a three goal spurt by Jai Bowd. Unfortunately it was to be a defeat with the final score 52 to 56. The Bbulldogs know it was the game that got away due to missed opportunities in front of goal. It was a great team effort with terrific games from Jordan Steele and Luke Greenwood and Liam McPherson