Point Cook is getting reward for effort in the back end of the Western Football League division 1 season.
After a slow start to the season under new coach Saade Ghazi, the Bulldogs have built into the season.
Ghazi said it was nice to see how far the group had come from the start of the season.
“We have been really pleased with the group,” he said. “We’ve won four of five and I thought we had our chances against Hoppers Crossing where we lost by two goals.
“We lost some early ones with some really young kids.
“We’ve now got 12 to 14 games there of improvement and that’s why we’re starting to win some games.”
Ghazi said he entered this season with a blank canvas and was keen to see the next generation get their opportunity and earn their stripes.
He said this was the approach they needed to do for the long term future of the club.
“We’re doing it the right way to be sustainable for a long time,” he said. “You hope to get the rewards and we’re seeing little rewards.
“Winning games is a little reward and we’re on the right track and the players are improving.”
The Bulldogs have battled with consistency as well, with just three players set to play every game this season.
On Saturday, the Bulldogs ended Albion’s finals hopes with a hard fought win.
Ghazi said the 8.10 (58)-5.7 (37) win didn’t come in the easiest conditions.
“We thought it would be pretty tough in those conditions with their bigger bodies,” he said.
“It dried out a bit and suited us on the bigger ground at Point Cook.
“After quarter time we kept the lead and it was a hard fought win against a pretty good side.”
Michael Cilmi and Max Rouvray kicked two goals each for the Bulldogs.
Heath Schiavello, Lochlan Allen and Billy Kolyniuk were named their best.
The Bulldogs will finish their season on Saturday against Altona.
Like the Bulldogs, the Vikings will miss finals.
“I see it as a 50-50 game,” Ghazi said. “We want to finish on a high.”
Ghazi said they were already thinking ahead to next season.
“We have one more game which we want to win and then reset and improve next year,” he said.
“We’ll look to keep the current group and add a couple of players.
“Most of the improvement will come from within. We have just three players over 25.
“We have a lot of players who are 22 and we have to keep the group together for the next few years.”
In other results, Hoppers Crossing lost to Yarraville Seddon Eagles, 13.10 (88)-8.14 (62).
The Warriors slipped further behind the double chance with that loss.
Werribee Districts had a big win against Sunshine, while Point Cook Centrals lost to Caroline Springs.
