The Bulldogs are 3-2 in this campaign — with those three wins coming in the past four games — and are sitting third on the table after five rounds.
But perhaps more importantly, Jamason Daniels and his coaching staff have legitimate claims to the honour of landing the best recruit of the summer after Nick Fothergill once again produced a clear best-on-ground performance with four goals to top it off.
‘‘I thought it was a really good four quarter performance from the boys,’’ Daniels said.
‘‘If it wasn’t for some missed easy shots it could have even better, but overall I was really pleased.
‘‘(Nick) is a phenomenal footballer, he reads the play so well, is clean, doesn’t fumble and it’s a pleasure to play alongside him.’’
After some pre-game drama with Charlie Hill rolling his ankle in the warm up — meaning Che Walls had to be pulled from the reserves match to fill a senior spot — Tatura struggled to convert in the first term to be just two goals up at the initial break.
But through the likes of Billy Cooper (three goals), Jaydan Thewma (three), Andrew Ciavarella, Daniels, Curt Ryan and Jordan O’Dwyer the Bulldogs were able to put the foot down and scorch away to a 102-point win at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve.
‘‘Our midfield was really strong and played well but (Brandyn) Grenfell dominated the ruck contest and gave us first use,’’ Daniels said.
‘‘We’re starting to click together across the field which is good, we’re playing good team footy and everyone is playing their role.’’
For the Cats, Tom Brennan snared two goals and Ajak Dang, Hudson Thomas, Kyle Gray and Isaac Dowling on senior debut battled hard, but the Bulldogs had too much firepower in the end.
Mooroopna did still have a reason to celebrate after the contest though with club legend Graham Ferguson running water for the 400th time for his beloved Cats.
‘‘Fergy’’ as he is affectionately known by all was chaired off the ground through a guard of honour after the game to acknowledge the power of work he has put in for the Cats across decades of involvement.
THE GAME
Tatura 3.6, 9.10, 14.14, 19.21 (135)
Mooroopna 2.0, 4.1, 5.1, 5.3 (33)
Goals
Tatura: Nick Fothergill 4, Jaydan Thewma, Billy Cooper 3, Andrew Ciavarella, Matt Shannon, Jamason Daniels 2, Brandyn Grenfell, Curt Ryan, Paul Kirby.
Mooroopna: Tom Brennan 2, Nathan Turner, Kai Love-Linay, Hudson Thomas.
Best
Tatura: Nick Fothergill, Andrew Ciavarella, Jamason Daniels, Billy Cooper, Curt Ryan, Jordan O’Dwyer.
Mooroopna: Ajak Dang, Hudson Thomas, Kyle Gray, Isaac Dowling, Michael Coad, Will Hetherington.
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