Men’s Premier Division Grand Final Review – UNSW-ES Bulldogs v North Shore Bombers

Written by Lucas Holmes 

Previous Meetings

The most recent fixture between the two Grand Finalists occurred in the second Qualifying Final. The Bulldogs produced an electric final term and defeated the Bombers by seven points.

During the regular season, The Bulldogs defeated the Bombers by 57 points in round 6. The Bombers held on by a point to win in their round 17 clash.

First quarter

After inclement weather for the Preliminary Final, Henson Park was bathed in sunshine as the game got underway.

It took less than two minutes for the Bulldogs to register a shot on goal.

From a stoppage on the centre wing, Dean Towers burst through the front of the contest. With a clever use of the body, Cooper Kilpatrick took a mark.

Kilpatrick pushed his set shot across the face of the goal for a minor score, but the Bulldogs showed how dangerous their quick ball movement was.

North Shore’s star midfielder Jordan Law injured a hamstring within the first four minutes of the contest. Law hobbled from the field and was treated on the interchange. He was able to retake his place on the ground later in the first term.

After the Bombers entered their forward 50 for the first time, the Bulldogs’ half-backline swept the football away.

A quick kick to Charlie Burgess-Hoar in the centre corridor split the Bombers’ defence. Kieran Emery got over the back and waltzed into an open goal. The first major of the afternoon.

Max Thomas had the chance to reply soon after.

North Shore Captain (and joint Phelan Medalist) Jake Veale sent the football long inside the forward 50. Thomas crumbed from behind the contest but couldn’t work the shot on his non-dominant left back enough. The Bombers opened their account with a minor score.

Emery kicked his second after 13 minutes of elapsed time.

A sweeping handball from Hamish Dunstan opened the middle of Henson Park. Towers kicked long, which enabled Emery to outmuscle his opponent in a one-on-one contest.

Emery converted the set shot from close range.

Jack Campbell made a last-ditch effort which denied a late goal. The Bulldogs’ lead was 15 points at the first change.

Quarter Time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 2.4.16 North shore Bombers 0.1.1.

Second quarter

The Bombers showed their intent as they moved the football quickly early in the second quarter.

Felix Rogers speared a ball to Christian Loone on the centre wing, which opened the corridor. Loone’s searching kick just dribbled out of bounds, but North Shore was able to set up behind the ball.

They created repeated stoppages, but the Bombers couldn’t add to their quarter-time score.

A rushed behind was scored as the Bombers had a ball up in their attacking goal square. After 10 minutes of elapsed time, the UNSW-ES lead was 14 points.

Both defensive units continued their strong starts. Will Edwards took an intercept mark at one end before Tom Baxter took one on the last line of defence.

Another minor score was produced by North Shore as Matthew Wilson had a snap under immense pressure.

A clever tap from Emery in a dangerous area was well dealt with by the Bombers’ defence, they conceded a rushed behind.

The second term was a defensive showcase as neither side allowed fluent ball movement.

Half time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 2.5.17 North Shore Bombers 0.5.5.

Third quarter

Wilson had the chance to kick the Bombers’ first early in the second half.

Law roved the contested and sent the football high inside the forward 50. Wilson was then taken high in the forward pocket. His set shot on a tight angle was pulled to the left for a minor score. North Shore was 0.6.

North Shore pilled on the pressure in the forward half, but the UNSW-ES defence held firm.

An act of ill-discipline led to Emery’s third goal.

After a turnover on the half-forward flank, Brandon Jack was bumped after his disposal. The advantage was paid, and Emery dribbled it through from the goal line.

A free kick was then reversed in the next passage of play. It looked like the wheels had started to come off.

Luke Robertson made a chase-down tackle on Emery as he streamed back towards goal. After 11 minutes of elapsed time in the third term the Bulldogs led by 17 points.

Jack Willis flew high but then came crashing down on the centre wing. He required medical attention but returned minutes later.

Jake Brown kicked a long-running goal in time on. The Bulldogs opened a four-goal lead at the last change.

Three quarter time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 4.8.32 North Shore Bombers 0.8.8.

Fourth quarter

Thomas kicked the Bombers first inside two minutes of the final term.

Sam Barkley chipped his kick from the centre wing as Thomas tumbled and took a mark. Thomas converted the long set shot as North Shore looked to shift the momentum.

Josh Rayner made it two in a matter of minutes as he intercepted an attempted switch out of defence. The UNSW-ES lead was back to two goals.

Just as North Shore had turned the tide, the Bulldogs played tempo with the ball in hand.

Dunstan then took a contested mark as Mitchell Conn squared the football inside the forward 50. His set shot drew to the left for a minor score. The margin was 14 points.

Lachlan O’Callaghan kicked a goal on the run minutes later after the Bulldogs forced a turnover on the centre wing.

Emery added his fourth before he set up Kilpatrick over the back.

UNSW-ES capped off a dominant 2022 season as they held North Shore to two goals. The margin was 30 points.

Full time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 7.10.52 North Shore Bombers 2.10.22.

Tom Baxter impressed as he played a run-with role on Ned Campbell for the Bulldogs. Charlie Burgess-Hoar’s foot speed on the outside and ball use was a feature. Whilst Mitchell Conn became more influential the longer the game wore on (and was awarded the Rod Podbury Medal for best on ground).

Sam Barkey roamed the wings all afternoon for North Shore. Nicholas Brewer won plenty of the football around Henson Park, as Will Edwards dominated ariel contests in defence for the Bombers.

UNSW-ES Bulldogs 7.10.52

Goal kickers: K. Emery 4, J. Brown, C. Kilpatrick, L. O’Callaghan

Best: D. Cordell, J. Byrnes, T. Alker, T. Baxter, M. Conn, J. Willis

 

North Shore Bombers 2.10.22

Goal kickers: J. Rayner, M. Thomas

Best: N. Brewer, W. Edwards, C. Loone, J. Veale, N. Campbell, S. Netting