Bulldog spirit prevails to down Swans

The Bulldogs recovered from a slow start to progress through to the Southern Districts Junior Football League under-15 preliminary final, downing the Swans by 29 points at Tigerland last Saturday.

The Swans started well in the opening term and led by six points at quarter-time before the Bulldogs took control of the elimination first semifinal.

Holding their opponents goalless in the second half, the Bulldogs did plenty of damage at the other end as they finished comfortable winners, 7.5 (47) to 2.6 (18).

As a result the Bulldogs progress to this Saturday’s preliminary final, ending the Swans’ season in the process.

In the second semifinal, also played at Tigerland last Saturday, the Saints booked their place in the grand final with a hard-fought seven-point win over rivals Mt Barker.

A five-goal-to-two first half set up the Saints’ victory but after finishing in the top two with a double chance, the Bulls get another shot in the preliminary final. The Bulls won the second half after kicking two goals but went down at the final siren, 4.8 (32) to 6.3 (39).

The Bulldogs and Bulls will do battle in the preliminary final at Tigerland from noon on Saturday.

In the under-13s competition, the Bulls were eliminated from the premiership race after going down to Denmark-Walpole by seven points in the first semifinal at St Joseph’s College last Saturday.

With only three goals kicked for the match, the Magpies booted two of them to progress to preliminary final week 2.5 (17) to 1.4 (10).

In the second semifinal the Bulldogs came from five points down at three-quarter-time to win through to a showdown against the Eagles.

The Saints had their noses in front at the last break after kicking two goals in the third term but were overpowered in the end, 5.5 (35) to 6.6 (42).

The Eagles and Saints now clash in this Saturday’s preliminary final, while the other preliminary is between the Bulldogs and Magpies with the winners progressing to the decider.

Both matches will also be played at Tigerland.