JINDERA overcame a spirited comeback from Murray Magpies to score a heart-stopping three-point win in their top-of-the-table clash at Jindera on Saturday.
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In a see-sawing affair, Murray Magpies hit the lead late in the final term after Ash Murray booted his sixth goal against his former side in front of a packed stand.
Bulldogs youngster Taylor Schultz emerged as an unlikely match-winner when he was able to kick the sealer from outside 40 metres in a tension-filled finale.
The thrilling 10.8 (68) to 9.11 (65) victory enabled to Bulldogs to leapfrog the Magpies on top of the ladder with a 7-2 record with next round marking the halfway point of the season.
After missing finals last season, the Bulldogs have now suddenly gone from a finals roughie to a top-two contender.
Coach Josh Walker said a season defining stretch against Osborne, Brock-Burrum, Walla and Rand-Walbundrie after this weekend’s bye would provide a better indication of the Bulldogs flag credentials.
“With the competition so tight there’s not much difference between the top eight sides, so wins like Saturday could prove invaluable in the final wash-up,” Walker said.
“While we missed finals last season, most of the improvement this year has come from our fringe and younger player’s.
“Guys like Danny Middleton, Danny Warren, Mick Galvin, Julian Hayes and Zac Stuart are kids coming through that range from 16 to 19 years of age.
“But they have all played between 30 and 40 senior games now and realise what it takes to perform on a consistent basis at senior level.”
The Magpies paid a hefty price early in the contest as they physically targeted several of the opposition’s youngsters in a bid to intimidate the pups.
To the Bulldogs’ credit they remained disciplined and kept attacking the football as the Magpies conceded several 50-metre penalties which proved instrumental in the home side opening up a 26-point lead at the first change.
Sam Myors was the dominant player as he continually found space on his wing and capped a polished display with two crucial goals in the low-scoring contest.
Queensland recruit Michael D’Arcy was also instrumental in defence winning a host of contested possessions while blanketing Jesse Johnston.
Michael Blomeley, Angus McDiarmid and Nathan Chamings, in his first senior match since breaking his leg last season, were other Bulldogs to shine.
In a stinging blow to the Magpies, key defenders Ryan Johnson and Alex Freeman spent most of the second half on the bench with injury and appear in doubt for next week.