(Above) Cougars coach Bill McKinlay addresses players. (Right) Adam McKinlay has booted 160 goals for the Cougars this season.
Camera Icon(Above) Cougars coach Bill McKinlay addresses players. (Right) Adam McKinlay has booted 160 goals for the Cougars this season. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Bulldogs to vie for ultimate win

Stephen Miles, Midland ReporterMidland Kalamunda Reporter

The win set up another mouth-watering classic confrontation with the unbeaten Chidlow Cougars in next weekend’s grand final.

The Bulldogs came out firing in Sunday’s contest and never gave the Hawks a chance.

After booting five goals to one in the first quarter and another two in the second, the final was virtually over as a contest at half time when Gidge led by 32 points, 74.4 (46) to 1.8 (14).

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Gidge strangled the Hawks’ forward supply and applied tremendous pressure across the field, resulting in Pickering’s inaccuracy in front of goal.

Although Pickering matched it with the Bulldogs for the remainder of the contest, the damage had already been done.

Final scores were Gidgegannup 14.13 (97) to Pickering Brook 7.15 (57).

Samuel Pedley-Mulcahy chalked up his third successive best-on-ground performance to see the Bulldogs home.

Peter Grundy and Jamie McMahon were also among Gidge’s best.

Much pride will be on the line in next weekend’s grand final.

Although Chidlow are unbeaten this season and will go into the game as a hot favourite, the Bulldogs’ history suggests the contest will be much closer than many predict.

Gidge have a proud history in finals.

They have won the premiership in six of the past seven seasons and won’t let the title slip from their grip without a big fight.

Chidlow beat the Bulldogs by 57 points in their first clash of the season on June 9 and by 43 points in their round 14 clash on July 27.

They also won by nine goals in their second semi-final clash at Wundowie two weeks ago.

The Bulldogs must restrict Chidlow through the midfield and cut of supply to the Cougars’ powerful forwards to have any chance of causing an upset.

League best and fairest Adam McKinlay has dominated all-comers this season, booting 160 goals.