Point Cook players can hold their heads high.
The Bulldogs were not given much of a chance against undefeated Westbourne Grammarians in the VAFA division 4 grand final.
But they caused more than a few heart palpitations for the minor premiers before going down by 17 points in a classic.
Bulldogs’ coach Ian Denny asked for a big effort from his team, and that is what he got.
“It was a good game, really close, really tough,” Denny told
Star Weekly. “But they just got over the top of us in the end.”
Point Cook held sway on the scoreboard for most of the game. When it was up for grabs in the last quarter, Westbourne’s experienced campaigners were more composed.
The Bulldogs had chances in the last quarter that they missed, and which will be rued over the summer.
“We missed two goals in the last quarter from 10 metres out, which would’ve given us a buffer,” Denny said. “It’s disappointing when you miss, but when they go up and kick a goal at the other end, it deflates you even more.”
While key moments in the game will be remembered, Point Cook’s flat patch in the second quarter was the turning point.
The Bulldogs held a 17-point lead at quarter-time and were in a commanding position, but they diverted from what got them into that position in the first place.
“We put some plans in place, but we’ve got some short memory spans, our blokes,” Denny said.
“Our plans that we put into place were working pretty well, and when they followed instructions, we were going okay. Then blokes stopped following instructions and allowed the opposition to get back into the game.
“It was about five minutes in the second quarter … we let them kick a couple of goals, which got them a bit closer at half-time than we would’ve liked.
“The flat patches throughout the game, where there were five or 10-minute lapses in concentration, cost us.”
Mason Kip was Point Cook’s standout, dictating play for his team from the back half.
Patrick Kerr overcame a groin injury to lessen the impact of dangerous Warriors’ forward Dale Collins.
Alex Galvin was superb off the half-back line, while Mathew Smith and Andrew Robinson toiled hard all day.
It was always going to be hard for Point Cook without seven-goal preliminary final star Jordan Lampi, who missed the game to attend his sister’s wedding, but all played their parts in a memorable grand final.
“We had our chances today, the unfortunate part is we didn’t take them, and we walk away second best,” Denny said. “Full credit to Westbourne, they were the best team all year and deserve their victory today.”
Point Cook will be promoted to division 3 with Westbourne next season.
For more pictures of Saturday’s game, CLICK HERE
