Bulldogs finally unleash on the season
FOR the second season in a row, a victory at Fretwell Park is set to kickstart the AFL Cairns season of Centrals Trinity Beach.
In Round 4 of last season, after an indifferent start to 2017, the Bulldogs trounced South Cairns on their home deck and grew with confidence and belief as a group every week from then on.
Fast forward to this campaign and many were questioning how competitive the men from Crathern Park would be in 2018 after they were rolled by Cairns City Lions inside the opening month.
But, just as they did in 2017, a win at Fretwell Park over the Cutters was just what the doctor ordered for Bulldogs coach Mick Seymour.
The Bulldogs recorded 29 scoring shots to just 18 on Saturday afternoon to gain their second triumph of the season and keep pace with the top four.
“For us, it is about getting a few guys back from injury and it has given us a little bit more stability,” Seymour said.
“I have been really impressed with our backline especially, they have really jelled well and they now have confidence to run and carry the ball from defence.
“That was the difference against South Cairns compared to our first month or so of the season, and just better ball use.”
Ballarat Football League recruit Nicholas Thacker played his first game in Doggies’ colours, showing some positive signs, while Ryan Lempa continued his solid form through the midfield and Murray Football League recruit Damian Payne booted two games on debut for Centrals.
Teenager Jai Newell slotted into the Bulldogs side with ease in his first senior game while Seymour also praised the efforts of youngsters Jacob Dow and Michael Selsby.
Mackay recruit Steven Stow was a standout for Cutters in the loss.
Elsewhere, Cairns Saints’ unbeaten start to the season rolled into the seventh round as they took care of North Cairns at Watsons Oval yesterday afternoon in the Sunday fixture.
Saints key forward Tom Eltringham passed double figure goals for the second time this season as he had a day out in the trouncing.
The red, white and black looked for Eltringham whenever they could, finishing with 18 majors, as he extended his lead in the Matthew Walsh Leading Goal Kicker award.