FOOTSCRAY has produced a second-half scoring blitz to fend off a gallant Southern Districts and move into the second week of the Victorian Rugby Union Premier1 Dewar Shield finals.
The Bulldogs recovered from a slim half-time deficit to post three tries in the last 40 minutes to win 32-12 in the elimination final at Henry Turner Memorial Reserve on Saturday.
Bulldogs coach Junior Naufahu said it was a much tighter contest than the scoreline indicated.
“It was a pretty tough game, but the boys pulled through,” he said. “It was a good feeling after the game, a relief that we get to breathe again.”
The win came at a severe cost for the Bulldogs with star lock Frank Amituanai ruled out for the rest of the season. He was one of the main weapons in attack for the home side before being subbed off with a broken finger.
The Bulldogs got plenty of drive through Tuipene Apineru and Melbourne Lesa.
Lesa is a highly rated prospect in this state as a member of the Rebels Rising squad.
David Diack was the man in the right spot at the right times.
The flanker scored the first try of the match to keep the Bulldogs in touch at the break and made it a double in the second half.
“It was about his vision and support play,” Naufahu said. “He was in the right places because of his good vision of play.”
Mataola Akauola scored the five-pointer to give the Bulldogs the lead after half-time.
The game was done and dusted when young gun Josh Kaifa scored the unassailable fourth.
After a shaky start, the Bulldogs’ defensive game picked up the longer the game went on.
That they conceded just the one try was
largely due to the hard tackling of winger Lui Seualuga.
Martin Naufahu again impressed with his kicking game.
The Bulldogs will meet Moorabbin Rams in the second week of the finals.
