Coota Bulldogs under 14s won third premiership in a row

The match exploded in the third minute with Dogs five eighth and main playmaker Matt Knagge illegally taken out of the match with a late and high shoulder charge that left him prostrate on the ground and taken from the field on a stretcher, unable to take any further part in the match and taken to hospital. 

Spectators were amazed to see the Temora player left on the field with only a penalty given for what was considered by most witnesses to be a very disappointing incident.

Under 13s captain Sam Sheahan came on as Knagge’s replacement and for a time the Dogs seemed to lose their focus as the match became an armwrestle with both teams struggling to hold the ball and find direction.

Midway through the first half, Sheahan and Dogs captain James Wilson began to click and give the Dogs spark resulting in the first try of the match to flying winger Campbell Cooper-Duck crossing in the corner. 

With the conversion unsuccessful the Dogs took a four point lead into the main break mainly on the back of some resolute defense that had not allowed the Dragons to break their line for the entire half.

The second half saw more outstanding defensive work as the Dogs made a huge statement on the match putting massive pressure on the Temora side which began to lose their way.

A slick backline movement in the fourth minute resulted in Jack Caldwell giving a sweet pass to Dogs star centre Jackson Bridge who did amazingly well to handle the ball whilst avoiding three would be defenders to put the ball over the line in the left corner to give the Dogs some breathing space. With the conversion hitting the upright the Dogs held an 8-nil lead.

In the ninth minute Temora centre Ryan Taylor was finally given 10 minutes in the sin bin for what was his third shoulder charge of the match effectively ending any chance the Temora side had of getting back into the match and giving the Dogs some small justice.

With 10 minutes left on the clock the Dogs raided from half way with a perfect Sam Sheahan pass finding flying centre Jayden Shepherd in space. Shepherd raced 40 metres to the line, stepped the Dragons fullback but slipped over in doing so five metres from the Dogs line. 

From the ensuing play-the-ball, halfback James Wilson totally confused the Dragons defensive line with a dummy and step to walk through under the posts sealing the match exactly as he did in 2013. 

Jack Caldwell added the extra’s (his 50th goal for the season) to give the Dogs a match winning 14-nil lead.

Temora were able to find small joy with a soft try in the final minute of the match to make the final score 14-4 and continue their Grand Final misery.

For the Dogs, the win was based on defense with the Dragons unable to make a single line break until the final 40 seconds with Jack Caldwell, Josh Deep, Jayden Shepherd, James Howse and Wayne Parker all immovable objects.

Parker was a colossus for the Dogs taking countless hit ups and bursting through the Temora line again and again in a man of the match performance that capped an enormous individual season for him.

The Dogs had fine contributors all over the paddock with Campbell Cooper-Duck outstanding on one wing, Jesse Daly safe and courageous despite being put under plenty of pressure all day on the other and James Commins at fullback playing a faultless role and making some very incisive runs.

Dogs centres Shepherd and Bridge were asked to do a lot of defense and both stood up beautifully with Shepherd probably playing his best and most controlled match of the season, continuing to be the thorn in the Dragons side.

The Dogs forward pack were magnificent, ably led by Parker and James Howse with Ben Maher, Josh Deep, Lachie Giddings and Joe Warner all playing strong roles. Jack Caldwell continued to defy his size to be the best defensive player on the ground in another whole hearted effort that won the admiration of all present.

Halfback and Captain James Wilson left his very best for the last match of the season and combined well with Sam Sheahan who stood up for what was a huge challenge in the most crucial pairing of the decider.

Despite not getting a great deal of opportunity Jacob Sutherland and Tom Miller were excellent players off the bench for the Dogs and certainly did not leave any holes when on the field.

The Dogs had amazing support at the ground and Paul Crick, his coaching staff and the players were very appreciative of the fine local and very vocal turnout and especially the support from the under 16s leaguetag side.

The side would like to thank their sponsors including Twomeys, the Cootamundra Country Club, Coopers Couriers and the Cootamundra Butchery for their support throughout the season.

The Dogs will join with the rest of the Bulldogs Junior Club in recognising all of the 2014 achievers at next Saturday’s presentation day to be held at Nicholson Park.