Premier Bulldogs good to the end
NIGHTCLIFF V STH DISTRICTS BEST 1.3 4.7 6.10 8.13 1.3 2.5 3.7 5.9 BANKS is the undisputed NTFL Division 1 champion after romping home to a 33point grand final victory against Nightcliff at Marrara.
After a dominant homeand-away season campaign, the Bulldogs were similarly untouchable throughout the finals series, with their grunt and class far too good for a wasteful Tigers outfit.
In a game that never really hit its stride, the Bulldogs – coming into the game with 17 wins, one loss and a percentage of 332 for the season – still managed to play like they had a chip on their shoulders.
Dane McGennisken and Bradley Taheny exemplified the bash-and-crash spirit of the Bulldogs, with McGennisken booting three goals and Taheny taking out best-onground honours.
But a wasteful Nightcliff was not totally out of the game, even at the business end, when a rousing set shot goal on the three-quarter-time siren put the Tigers within three goals at the final change.
All that yellow and black momentum quickly dissipated when, eight minutes into the last quarter, Nelson Sonntag waltzed in for his third goal after two bad fumbles from Nightcliff defenders.
Banks veteran Nicholas Horsley then nailed the coffin shut with his first goal of the afternoon.
After the match Banks coach Mark Tyrrell lauded the preparation and grit underpinning his club’s premiership win.
“We really work hard on making sure we prepare each week,” Tyrrell said.
“We’re a very professional footy club.” BANKS BULLDOGS V NIGHTCLIFF BEST 4.1 5.3 7.3 10.4 0.3 1.7 3.9 3.13