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Junior's attempt for Mark of the Year

From the start of the game it was apparent which of these two sides had come to play - as the Blues were as flat as a tack while the Dingos were strutting around with their tails in the air. The differing attitudes of the two sides was quickly reflected by the scoreboard as the Dingos jumped out of the starting gates to promptly put 3 goals through to the Blues 1. Staggeringly the Dingos could have taken the four points in the first quarter had they kicked straight - with 6 behinds in the first quarter next to their name. Daniel "Junior" Anderson was the Blues sole scorer with the lone goal. The six behinds is mainly thanks to the pressure placed on the on-fire Dingos forward line by the battling Blues backline. Bruce Parker continued to find form following his performance in the Hawks game was solid. Steve Bridle battled hard all day - although struggling with his disposal. It turns out Bridle was playing with two cracked ribs - perhaps contributing to his inability to breath properly. Steve Clark - playing in his second seniors game was tremendous for the Blues defense playing in the back pocket. Providing plenty of run and carry and one of the very few Blues players who actually beat his opponent. Clark was awarded the Best on Ground, while Daniel Zimmerman won the Top Contributor Award.

The second quarter saw the Blues put up a little bit more of a fight. Holding the Dingos to 2 goals - while scoring Mark "Knackers" Dobson scored a goal as he attempted to fire up his team. Again the Dingos could have run away with the game - scoring another 4 behinds during the second period - as they went into the half time break with a 39-13 lead. The Blues midfield struggled to find a target in their forward 50 all day as the Dingos crowded their backline limiting space for the Blues forwards to lead into. the Dingos pressure all over the ground was sensational - as Blues players were under the pump everytime they got the ball forcing rushed disposals which for much of the gamegoing straight to open Dingos players. While for the Blues there was not defensive accountability.

The 3rd quarter saw the Dingos continue on with their dominance as they slowly worked the Blues into submission. Strangling any Blues forward moves - while at the same time having players roam loose all over the field. The Dingos truly buried the Blues in this premiership quarter - piling on three more goals while the Blules were only able to come up with one measly behind. The Blues players inability to man up is a serious concern - with too many Dingos players allowed to play as they pleased. Another concern was the lack of voice around the ground - none of the senior players stood up to be heard when they needed to be.

Steve Clark was Best on Ground for the Blues

The final quarter could very well have been a true disaster for the Blues had they not made a stand. Ivan "Milat" Ouellette winning a free kick after being on the receiving end of a high tackle and kicking tuly was one of the few passages of play which allowed for the Blues supporters to cheer. While Jacob Sone who had worked tireless also piped up for a goal. However two goals from the Dingos ensured that the Blues never even had a whiff of a win. In the end the Blues never even deserved to get a sniff.

The season doesn't get any easier for the Blues who face the Hamilton Wildcats in Round 10. The Blues cannot afford to show up with the attitude that they did with the Dingos game. A couple of weeks of punishment from the coaching group will hopefully have the boys switched on. Adding to the intrigue for the remainder of the season has been the revival of the Guelph Gargoyles who have now won two games in a row - keeping their season hopes of making the top 6 alive. The Blues cannot let their guard down now that they find themselves 6th on the ladder after this loss to the Dingos.