Strathmerton's Riley Sampson was among his side’s best as the Bulldogs bested Katunga.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The Bulldogs have found their teeth again.
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Picola District Football League powerhouse Strathmerton has endured a strikingly torrid start to the season, but some may have a sneaky suspicion Saturday’s win over Katunga could be the rocket the Bulldogs needed to turn their season around.
Holding a sour 1-5 record approaching the Katunga clash, Strathmerton scrapped, scraped and clawed its way to an 8.7 (55) to 5.5 (35) triumph on the road.
And if Tim Looby’s boys play their cards right, it could be the first rung climbed on a heroic scale back into finals contention.
The Bulldogs’ next three games are against the bottom three, and if they display the guts on show from Saturday, Strathmerton’s time in the sun may not be done just yet.
Strathmerton's Darrean Wyatt looks to move the footy up the park.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Katunga's Zavier Morris closes down his man.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Katunga's Zavier Morris just gets a kick away in front of Strathmerton's Nicholas Hoban.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Strathmerton's Darrean Wyatt was named in his side’s best following the win over Katunga.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Katunga's Cameron Bishop booms the ball down the corridor.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Strathmerton's Nicholas Hoban moves through the gears.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Against Katunga, the visitors took a one-goal lead into quarter-time and extended it to 15 points at the main break, kicking three goals in a bread-winning second term.
A stingy third term saw just two total goals traded, meaning all Strathmerton had to do was hold on.
By hook or crook, the Bulldogs did so as players at both ends of the park held up their end of the bargain, snaring a crucial, potentially season-saving set of four points.
Adrian Crestani was at the heart of Strathmerton’s win as was Riley Sampson, while Looby was a force up forward with five goals.
For Katunga, Sam Boyd battled valiantly during the loss while Nicholas McCann was the only Swan to double up on the day.
Around the grounds, Waaia was made to work for its eighth straight win, outmuscling Berrigan 12.15 (87) to 9.8 (62), while Tungamah got over the line against Jerilderie by 26 points.
Katamatite thumped Mathoura by 31 goals, Katandra beat up on Rennie 24.15 (159) to 4.1 (25), Dookie United fell to Deniliquin Rovers by 18 points and Tocumwal bested Blighty 20.5 (125) to 7.7 (55).
On the netball courts, Katunga was made to work for its spot in the top four bracket.
The Swans were pushed all the way by 13th-placed Strathmerton, doing just enough to escape with a 42-39 result, while Waaia also chalked up a three-goal win over Berrigan.
Dookie United was handed its second loss of the season at the hands of reigning premier Deniliquin Rovers, 51-24, while Katandra kept its good form rolling with a 30-goal victory against Rennie.
In other matches, Katamatite mauled Mathoura 62-11, Tungamah brushed Jerilderie aside by 22 goals, while Tocumwal went berserk against Blighty, winning 94-19.
