The Bulldogs withstood a late surge from South Cairns to beat them 15.7-97 to 13.8-86 at Fretwell Park and end the Cutters six game winning streak.
The victory puts the two sides in equal second, one win behind first placed Port after their 19.22-136 to 4.9 (33) massacre of Cairns City Lions up North. The road to victory means Centrals have beaten each member of the top four away from home this season. A win against Saints next weekend would put Centrals two clear of the heavyweights in a clear top three. "Souths supporters are the best in the league and its a very difficult place to play" Coach Heath Mitchell said. "We let them back in with about 15 minutes of poor footy, but we clawed a victory. I think now we have to recognise we have a competitive side and its up to us to prove we are contenders. "But I dont think weve proved that yet, becase we havent got a scalp at homethats what its such a big game this Saturday"
Smith (six goals) and the dangerous James Dixon (four) were in the thick of it again for Souths. However, Mitchell praised the work of defenders Ryan Lempa, Rhys Bridge and Ethan Riddington in restricting their impact. "Riddington has been huge alongside those two and Jesse Fewkes in his second game back from a third knee surgery was great on the wing and got our best on ground" Mitchell said. Centrals defence will get another stern working over this weekend with in form Matt Walsh coming off 12 majors against Norths and seven in last weekends rep game. "The boys did really well and the midfield hit me again ang again. Walsh said after his sides 27.24-186 to 8.2-50. "I took a bit out of that reo game and hopefully its the catalyst again for the back end of the season."
Walsh resisted the urge to have a round off despite admitting he was not at his freshest, obviously keen to push past the 1000 goal milestone as soon as possible. "Im 21 away now and want it over and done with," he said. "We played well" he added. "But this is a massive test coming up and vital for us if we want a top two spot and two cracks at the Grand Final."
Article Courtesy of Murray Wenzel - The Cairns Post
Last Modified on 17/06/2015 15:55