Cats crush Bulldogs

by Davyd Reid

A third quarter surge helped Neerim-Neerim South to comfortably account for Bunyip in tricky conditions, 13-13 (91) to 5-2 (32).

An upset was brewing when a late goal put Bunyip in front as the sides went into the long break.

Emerging from the change rooms after a heavy shower, the Cats quickly clicked into gear to put through seven goals and open a handy buffer at the final change.
The Cats would finish with 10 of the final 11 goals of the game, undermining the competitiveness of the Bulldogs in the first half.
The Bulldogs were on the board in the opening 30 seconds, winning the opening centre clearance to set up a goal to Myles Wareham.
Play concentrated between the arcs for much of the quarter, with much of the first half playing out in slippery conditions from earlier rain.
The Cats went into the first change with a rare goalless first term, but would soon respond with an impressive chain of play.
Following a bizarre moment where all players just stopped, the Cats were first to swoop in and collect a holding the ball free kick. A strong mark on the wing sent the ball forward for another contested mark and goal.
Bunyip sent the ball deep into its forward line for Jack Blakey to rove from the boundary throw in and snap a goal.
Neerim-Neerim South rolled through another as the lead again changed hands.
A hack kick forward from Will Grummisch found Lenny Clark, whose shot on the siren cleared the line for a goal.
Lachlan Watson, Jeb McLeod, Jack Blakey, Ned Ashton, Sam Hughes and Thomas Blakey had led the competitive first half effort from the Bulldogs.
Intermittent drizzle following a half time downpour didn't deter the Cats, as they emerged for the second half to lift with some sublime football.
A snap from the pocket was cause for an early celebration before Eddie McGillivray let out a big "come on let's go" after running into an open goal.
That the Cats did, piling on five more goals for the quarter to open a more than handy 44-point buffer given the conditions.
A free kick after a late dump was followed by an impressive long goal in the heavy conditions.
Kai Mounsey made front position for a strong mark at the top of the square before Riley Ferguson added one from the goal square as the Cats surged ahead.
Even miss-kicks were coming off for the Cats, as they floated one through for their 10th.
Kody Wilson, Tyler Pratt, McGillivray, Kyson Cornwall, Brock Dorling and Isaac Guy led the second half surge for the Cats.
The first two goals of the final term ensured Neerim-Neerim South would close it out strongly, a Kai Jones consolation answered by the Cats approaching time on.