Tara Murray
An undermanned Point Cook came away with its best win of the season on Saturday against Caroline Springs.
The Bulldogs entered the Western Football League division 1 clash missing half of their best side.
They then lost two of their younger players during the game, leaving them low on rotations.
The Bulldogs though were able to do enough to come away with the win, 13.8 (86)-7.20 (62).
Bulldogs coach Clay Smith said it was a really good win.
“We weren’t sure how it would go,” he said. “We had a fair few changes the last couple of weeks,” he said.
“It was a really pleasing result with a fair few boys out at the moment. We had to fight and scrap, so to run away with it was really pleasing.”
Smith said the match was really contested early one with the Lakers inaccuracy keeping the score close.
It then opened up a bit late and they were able to have an impact.
Michael Cilmi kicked five goals as a small forward in a pleasing performance according to Smith.
He said Lochlan Allen really stepped up in the ruck in the absence of Daniel Burton, who has done an ACL, and Paul Tsapatolis ,who is a bit sore.
“He becomes another midfielder,” Smith said. “He was huge for us.”
The win was the Bulldogs third of the season and evens the ledger after seven rounds.
With a match on the King’s Birthday weekend, the Bulldogs have a bye this weekend.
Smith said it couldn’t have come at a better time.
“We had six players have fitness tests before the game and only three got through,” he said.
“The other three will hopefully be back next week. There’s another couple that will come back after that.”
Smith said what had been really pleasing for him was seeing the side play a strong brand of football despite so many players being out.
“We’ve been playing footy the way we want to play the last three weeks which is really pleasing.”
In other results, Point Cook Centrals lost to Spotswood, 15.6 (96)-9.15 (69).
The Woodsmen got the jump early and that was the difference in the game.
Hoppers Crossing continued its good form, beating Parkside, 11.12 (78)-10.9 (69).
In division 2, Wyndhamvale beat North Sunshine by 233 points, the Suns lost a thriller to Braybrook and Tarneit was held scoreless against Albion.
