Bulldog makes most of chance
Reserve grade defender Aaron Sewter kicked two goals in the Thuringowa forward pocket in his maiden first grade appearance this season to earn a player-of-the-match nod from coach Brett Hughes in an 8.18 (66) to 3.8 (26) win over Curra.
Sewter had not kicked a goal this season but found himself thrust into the ladder leader’s forward line in a low-scoring tussle with the Swans in enemy territory.
“He got the call-up after playing reserves all year and got his opportunity in the forward line and kicked a couple of goals,” Hughes said.
“We actually picked him to play in the backline but the way things panned out on the day we needed him forward for more time than we thought.
“He certainly had an impact with his pressure and was able to hit the scoreboard as well.
“It’s really good for guys like that coming in and taking their opportunity when they do get into the senior side.”
Returning midfielder Chris Tidswell was best on ground, adding two goals of his own alongside Charlie Gaudion (2) and Dominic Marshall (2).
The win was Thuringowa’s sixth in succession and has given the Bulldogs an eightpoint buffer on the ladder over Hermit Park (16) and University (16).
Hughes is content to enjoy the run while it lasts, comfortable in the knowledge it cannot last forever.
“We would like it to but we understand there are going to be games where perhaps the guys are a little bit off, or a bit of complacency, but we set little challenges for ourselves each week to keep us on our toes that don’t have anything to do with the scoreboard,” he said.
“We try to make sure we play on our own terms through our actions, when we don’t have the footy as well.”
University had a comprehensive 24.21 (165) to 0.1 (1) win over Northern Beaches, whose promising start to the season has been washed away in an avalanche of points conceded.
Top forward John Dempsey kicked six of his side’s majors to tie Lachlan Kendrick’s contribution. Josh Whiteman kicked five, while captain Keegan Vickers was best on ground.