The Kelmscott League team continued their great form over the weekend with another convincing win, pouncing on the Baldivis Brumbies.
The weekend’s 95-point victory makes it three straight wins, securing second spot on the premiership ladder for the Bulldogs’ top team.
“The season is off to a great start with another win at home in front of a big crowd,” coach Shannon Collard said.
“Our 95-point win came from some brilliant midfielder work without our regular ruckman. Patrick Walley and Eric Alone competed well in the ruck and gave our mids every chance at the ground.
“Whilst Revis Alone dominated clearances, with help from William Walley in the centre.” The coach also praised the back six who were “strong rebounding and setting up play from half back with quick and silky ball movement”.
With such a commanding win over the opposition, it was obviously a big game for the forwards too.
“The forward line worked really will this week with Kyle Collard being our lead up forward target, with two goals,” coach Collard said.
“New recruit Rodney Jetta, who played deep, was too strong all day, finishing the game with six majors.”
Returning B Grade Premiership forward Callum Collard kicked three, backed by his former premiership team mate Jordan Ah Chee.
Club life member and Colts coach Kristian Egan slotted two, and another two went to South Fremantle Colt Hayden Eades.
There was a single for Lawrence Hansen Jnr who lined up again with his father Lawrence Hansen Senior who will celebrate his 200th club games at his next home game.
William Walley, Jess Johns, Dean Pankhurst and Dyllon Hansen also scored one each.
“The four young kids Dillon Hansen, Lawrence Hansen Jr, Hayden Eades and Dean Pankhurst were outstanding again, playing their roles very well. Hayden and Dean were also amongst Kelmscott’s best,” coach Collard said.
Kelmscott Bulldogs League 19.12 (126) defeated Baldivis Brumbies 5.1 (31).
Colts
The young Colts team travelled down to Warnbro where they led for most of the game.
But a final kick at the goals after the siren wasn’t enough to claim victory, the Colts losing by just one point.
Warnbro 9.8 (62) Defeated Kelmscott 8.13 (61).
Reserves
The Reserves continue improving, this time with a challenging game against Baldivis. Kelmscott 4.4 (28) were defeated by Baldivis 8.12 (60).
Women
The women continue their domination of the ladder form.
Kelmscott Womens 15.6 (96) defeating Mt Lawley 1.0 (6).
All Abilities
The Bulldogs Integrated All Abilities team played their first game of the season, debuting after the League match, against the Wembley Magpies.
Across their ten years of participation, the Wembley Magpies All Abilities Team had only ever achieved two wins.
The Bulldogs adopted a spirited modification of the game again to ensure players of each team were included and had their fair share of play.
Coach Robert Turner said the success of the game was to the credit and sportsmanship of the mighty Kelmscott midfield players Fraser Kicket, Vinnie Fraser, Lee Maas, Shane Lavender, Trent Fleming and game day co-captains Tim Davies and Geoff Stewart, who all adopted a ‘Handball Only’ version of the game.
The modified play gave Wembley lots of opportunity to catch the opposition and send the ball down to their own forward line.
“I did love it when players from both sides got lots of the ball that normally don’t, and they had lots more game time and fun,” Player Lee ‘Quokka’ Maas said.
In a first for the community, Kelmscott played two Blind Sports WA participants – Ben Rowe and Darren Stevens – who made a great impact on the game, guided by their own team mates Shane and Geoff.
With the ball exchanged down each end, the game was goal for goal. In the last quarter Kelmscott tried to catch Wembley’s third quarter lead.
And with just two minutes to go, the scores were tight, but the Wembley Magpies flocked around the football and kept the ball up in their forward to fly over the mighty Kelmscott Bulldogs by just one goal.
After the game, both Wembley and Kelmscott sung a WA All Abilities chant and cheered together in a big huddle, to celebrate for Wembley’s first win since April 2021.
Kelmscott 7.6 (48) were defeated by Wembley 8.6 (54).
This Saturday Kelmscott Bulldogs will travel to Kenwick for Reserves (1.10pm) and League (3.05pm). The Women’s team play at Bayswater at 10:50am, and Colts will travel down to Baldivis for 11:15am.
Photographs – Richard Polden
