NCWL | Bulldogs on the board with breakthrough first win

April Atkinson was perfect in front of goals for Tatura as she kicked four goals straight, while Sarah Lange-Richards made a crucial tackle late that helped set up the game-sealing goal.

The Bulldogs were winless in 2022 and coach Sam Green said it was fantastic to get that first positive result on the board this season – although he admitted their post-game celebrations needed a bit of practice.

“It is really good. I am really pleased and proud of the girls. It came down to the last quarter, we played the game out well and finished strong, which is good,” Green said.

“At the three-quarter time break we spoke about digging deep and said we are in this one.

“We haven’t had too many close games, they dug deep and in the last five minutes they really lifted.

“The team was pretty pumped. Unfortunately we still have to learn the words to the song, we haven’t had much practice. But they enjoyed having a go and just yelling and making noise, it was a good vibe to finish the day off.”

Green said there were some great elements in the way his side played and, while a couple of players stood out, he said the win was the culmination of effort from everybody.

“We had strong defence and it was pleasing to see we could move the ball through the midfield as well,” Green said.

“It always helps when you have someone on fire who can kick four goals straight. April was really good.

She was aiming for five goals, but I stuck her in the back half for a quarter, so maybe I robbed her of a fifth. She made the most of her opportunities up front, took her time and snagged four.

“Sarah made a strong run-down tackle and we ran the game out on a high. Nerrissa Leitch and Frances Atkinson were two younger players who had plenty of run. Frances got on to the goal after Sarah’s tackle.

“It was a good team effort, it is always hard picking winners out of what really was a team effort. All the things we are practising at training are starting to come out on the ground, so as a coach that is super exciting.”

At Nathalia, the Purples unfurled their 2022 premiership flag ahead of their first home game of the season against Echuca.

Nathalia caused a massive upset in last year’s decider, knocking off the previously undefeated Murray Bombers in the grand final – the second straight year that had happened.

This time, however, it was Echuca that claimed the four points with a two-goal victory.

The Murray Bombers led at every change, holding Nathalia scoreless in the first and fourth quarters as they prevailed 3.9 (27) to 2.2 (14).

With two rounds of the season in the books, it is Echuca sitting in top spot ahead of Nathalia and Tatura.

Nagambie is in fourth, while Shepparton United – which had a bye at the weekend – is in fifth.

The Demons will return to action on Friday when they take on Nathalia at 7.30pm at Kialla Park Recreation Reserve.

Echuca will face off against Nagambie in the weekend’s other match, while Tatura has the bye.