Successive defeats in rounds three and four to Dookie United and Violet Town made it two-two to start the season. The Bulldogs struggled for an avenue to goal, kicking just 12 goals in the two losses. Big forward Rhys Bucktin (who finished with 17 goals for the season) offered a target in attack.
Back-to-back wins followed against Undera by 50 points in round five and by 22 points against Girgarre in round six. Jack Sinclair (32 goals from the centre for 2022) kicked six goals in the Girgarre win.
Lancaster disposed of the Bulldogs in round seven, by 69 points, but the team bounced back immediately with a 59-point win against Tallygaroopna. In his first game for the club Nathan Smith kicked eight goals (27 for the season).
A 164-point round eight win, against Longwood, was followed by a round nine and 10 defeats to top four teams Shepparton East and Avenel. It left the Bulldogs with a six to five win/loss record.
Round 12 was the Bulldogs’ last win of the season, a 180-point win against Rushworth when Smith kicked five and Sinclair was again best afield with another three-goal haul. Ross, Rohan Hearn and the Martins maintained their good form.
The Bulldogs, needing a win to secure eighth spot, lost to Murchison-Toolamba by 10 points in round 13 and in round 14 were no match for Stanhope (a 162-point defeat)
Nagambie left the Bulldogs hanging by a thread to eighth spot with a 36-point round 15 result, then a 97-point loss to Murchison-Toolamaba in round 16 meant it finished ninth — out of the finals.
17°C