Football: Bulls make it three

Mt Barker won their third match of the season with a hard-fought 27-point win over Railways in round nine of the Great Southern Football League at Frost Park on Sunday.

A period of 10 minutes in the third term where the Bulls kicked six straight goals was the difference, but the Tigers rallied to mount a number of late charges at the home side though eventually succumbed 17.14 (116) to 14.5 (89).

Picture: The Bulls’ Peter Taylor gets his kick away as the Tigers’ Graham Simpson tackles.

Explosive forward Brendan Wynne was a welcomed return for the Bulls, kicking five goals including two in that vital 10 minute onslaught.

It was a win that brought much relief to the Bulls faithful while the Tigers produced a much better effort compared to an embarrassing output last week.

Ruckman Hendrix Ropiha was outstanding for the Tigers, rucking the entire game while having a major influence right across the ground, he could have easily been the game’s most influential player on the ground.

The Bulls came out of the blocks early to lead at quarter time but a spirited Tigers fought back and kicked five second-term goals.

Zac Hortin was a revelation up forward kicking four goals and he worked well in tandem with Callum Burges who added three majors but it was the Bulls polish that hurt the visitors.

Wes Bridges, Peter Taylor, Sam Lehmann and Nathan Skinner all had roles through the midfield, kicking long to their forwards at every chance.

Taylor not only nullified Zane Marwick’s influence after half time, but produced another dazzling display in what has been a great season thus far.

Bulls coach Matt Taylor said it was pure relief to get the win and stay in touch with the top four.

“Both sides needed that win to stay in touch so it is a huge relief,” he said.

“Our attack on the ball was good … but also our one grab and pressure skills were a key today.”

Taylor heaped praise on Brendan Wynne who played a brilliant game.

“Brendan is really an x-factor, his awareness of where the goals are make him a real asset.”

Railways co-coach Tim Alvin said it was hard to stop the long-kicking of the Bulls.

“We were real good in patches but real bad in patches,” he said.

“Their penetration, their ability to hit targets 50 or 60 metres away was a killer.”

He admitted the 10-minute lapse in the third term was where his side lost the game but was happy his side didn’t throw the towel in.