Five in a row for determined dogs

The Bulldogs overcame a slow start with seven goals to three in the second and third quarters of the tight final to set up the victory ” their fifth premiership in as many seasons.

The Cougars settled first and managed to go into the first break with a 14-point lead.

But the Doggies regrouped in the second stanza and applied plenty of physical pressure on the younger Cougars players.

A late goal saw Gidge head into the long break with a seven-point lead.

The arm wrestle continued in the third term, with Gidge’s Jamie McMahon and Stephen Kelderman taking some strong marks and converting up forward, enabling the Bulldogs to skip clear by 14 points at three-quarter time.

But the Cougars were not to be outdone and some good work from Adam McKinlay and Alex Radonic around the middle and Blake O’Meagher down back got them in striking distance of just seven points midway through the final quarter.

But Cam Hore snapped a goal from the pocket entering time on to give the Doggies the buffer they needed.

They defended boldly in the final minutes to emerge victorious 11.13 (79) to Chidlow’s 9.11 (65).

For Gidge, Kelderman capped off another solid performance by taking out the Bob Gardiner medal for best on ground. McMahon continued his good finals form and Shaun Lester and Sandy Bent were also strong contributors.

Good players for Chidlow included Alex Radonic, Blake O’Meagher , Matt Mallaby, century goalkicker Adam McKinlay and David Massie.

A crowd of more than 800 witnessed the memorable final staged in perfect weather conditions.