SHOWING a little more composure and polish in that vital third term, it was the Mallee Eagles who bolted away to score a relatively easy victory over a lethargic Tyntynder.
The first term was a scrappy affair despite the perfect conditions, with both teams concentrating on stopping the run of their opponents and bottling up play at every opportunity.
The score at the first break told the story of the game at that point with both sides unable to break the shackles and find free turf.
The second term saw the visitors showing a little more results for their endeavour as the small men started to feed from the dominance of Warren Carlyle in the ruck as the big man gave the youthful Bulldog followers a lesson in ruck play.
This brought players of the ilk of Marty Kelly, Mitchell Bosward, Daniel Bibby and Boden Alexander into the play and the results were on the board at the end of the second stanza.
The Eagles threw out the gauntlet to the Tyntynder boys who had to lift without match-winner Kayle Kirby, who succumbed to a corked hip and was to take no part in the second half of play.
The Bulldogs trailed by 13 points going into that long break and if they were going to rally and get themselves back into what was a low scoring encounter a drastic turn around was required.
David Andrivon had endured what was an uncharacteristically quiet first half but his endeavour was there for all to see in that third term.
Others such as Josh Cheek were giving their all and Marcus Wattie was on the way to a team best performance.
But, battle and run as they might, the dour Eagles were up to the task winning many turn overs to keep their ship upright.
Jake Wade was strong across half back for the visitors while Pat Batten was also a reliable defender as his brother Matt was a match-winning utility — particularly in the third term.
The visitors widened the gap by the conclusion of the term and the match was out of the reach of the Bulldogs as they turned for home with a half hour to play.
The game was a timely win for the Mallee Eagles and it demonstrated what a formidable outfit they can be at full strength and if they can keep their main players injury free for the run to the finals they will trouble the best of them.
The Bulldogs are at the cross roads. Can they get their best side fit and on the park every week?
On Saturday’s effort 2015 is probably not their year, but if one looks back to their effort against Kerang just few short weeks ago who knows.
