Humble Bulldogs put bite on Tigers

THE Thuringowa Bulldogs insist they still need to improve to stop Hermit Park’s AFL Townsville premiership reign despite toppling the Tigers 8.7 (55) to 5.8 (38) on Saturday night.

The Tigers were riding a seven-game winning streak and they had the better of a tight opening quarter under lights at Riverway Stadium, edging ahead 2.3 (15) to 1.4 (10) at the first break.

The Bulldogs hit back for a 3.6 (24) to 3.4 (22) halftime lead and they finished stronger in the second half to clinch their fourth-straight victory.

Thuringowa has now beaten the two-time defending premiers twice during the regular season, but forward Reiley Guest said that would count for nothing if they don’t match that effort in the finals.

“We take some confidence out of it, but you go into finals knowing that’s the only thing that counts,” he said.

“We spoke about it at training during the week. They’re the benchmark so we just had to come out and play our brand of footy for four quarters and do the best that we could.

“Fortunately it was enough on the night, but they’re still top of the ladder and we’ve got a bit of work to do too to make sure we finish top two.

“Once you get to finals that’s when the serious stuff begins and the regular season counts for nothing. We’re well aware of that and we’re trying to work towards that.”

Guest kicked a game-high three goals, but he admitted the slippery conditions with the night game at Riverway Stadium made it tough to gauge the form of both teams.

“Trying to get clean possession going forward is always hard and it brings the scoring down a bit,” he said.

“I know I’m not near my best. I just had a little purple patch, but I’m more worried about doing my job for the team. As long as we’re winning that’s what it’s all about.”

Meanwhile, the Curra Swans are still pushing for a top-two finish after claiming a 12.15 (87) to 7.9 (51) win over the University Hawks at Muldoon Oval.