FOOTSCRAY sharpshooter Martin Naufahu has delivered a timely reminder on the eve of the Victorian Rugby Union Premier 1 Dewer Shield finals – don’t underestimate the value of his super boot.
Naufahu found his range in the Bulldogs’ dour 14-5 win over Box Hill at Henry Turner Reserve on Saturday with the decisive three penalty goals in the one-try-apiece arm wrestle.
Bulldogs coach Junior Naufahu told The Weekly that his cousin’s form in front of goal in his first season at the club had been pivotal in his side reaching the finals.
“We depend on him to get those important extra points,” he said.
“It relieves the boys of a lot of stress when he’s kicking well. He also played a brilliant territorial game and was great in defence with a few big hits.”
The Bulldogs were clearly determined to finish the home-and-away rounds on the positive note, despite already having a finals berth under lock and key.
They had their backs against the wall with some first-team regulars unavailable for selection through injury and work commitments, but they managed to eek out a win through sheer endeavour over 80 minutes.
“I was really proud of the boys,” Naufahu said. “We knew Box Hill were going to come out firing. They had to get the win and a bonus point to reach the finals.
“We got stuck into it, never gave up and held them off.”
The Bulldogs held an 11-0 advantage at half-time.
Their one and only try of the game came through Lui Seualuga. “We caught them napping and had a stack of numbers out wide,” Naufahu said.
Box Hill hit back with an unconverted try, but it would be their only scoreboard action.
Tuipine Apineru showed why he is one of the crowd favourites for Bulldog fans with several barnstorming runs. “He just doesn’t stop,” Naufahu said. “Every time he gets the ball we expect him to knock players off him and make a few yards.”
Siosiua Ngauamo had an instant impact with his energy and speed off the bench. He was effective in defence, too, with some bone-jarring tackles that disrupted Box Hill’s attack.
The Bulldogs will host their cutthroat week one final with Southern Districts at Henry Turner Reserve on Saturday at 3pm.
VRU scoreboard
Dewer Shield: Footscray 14 d Box Hill 5
