The Bulldogs enter the post-season campaign having conceded 684 goals from 18 games, beating out the next best defensive record by 59.
So, who has been the anchor, the organiser and heartbeat holding things down at the back?
Molly Boyle.
The Bulldogs’ staple has defended with bite since the season’s first centre pass, but in August, Tatura has shipped the fewest goals of any team – and Boyle has had a large hand to play in it all, deserving of The News’ GVL Player of the Month prize.
Tatura playing co-coach Elsie Boyer praised her star bastion’s work rate and skill over the month and entire year.
“(She) is a leader both on and off the court. Her performances this year have continued to improve from week to week,” she said.
“She is composed, works incredibly hard, and consistently gets her hands on the ball.
“She is exactly the sort of person you want on your team, not only for her fantastic performances but also for the role she plays in creating a fun and connected team.”
Boyle has become Tatura’s connective tissue – darting, blocking, feeding, and finding ways to free up the defensive circle and build attacks from the back.
She helped Tatura defeat Rochester and Benalla comfortably in August, blanketing both sides to 30 goals or fewer in each affair.
And though the Bulldogs lost to Seymour in round 17, Boyle helped peg back one of the competition’s top scoring teams and confined the Lions to 45 goals, their lowest tally in three months.
It was the kind of month that confirmed her as the glue of Tatura’s defensive structure, and as finals begin, Tatura knows its strongest weapon might be the one quietly commanding the back third.
Molly Boyle’s August stats
Games: 3
Goals conceded: 104
Goals conceded per game: 34.6
Best game: 29 goals conceded versus Rochester (round 18)
