Star player: Veronica Hager (left) with Tatura’s Stephanie Smith-Gorrie, who was named best-on-court and received flowers from Chloe Locke (right). Photo: Wayne Herring
The Dogs’ bark was louder than the Lions’ roar on Saturday afternoon in the Goulburn Valley League.
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A three-sided battle at the top of the table had been raging for a number of weeks, but in the penultimate round it was the Lions who made the first mistake.
Tatura arrived at Kings Park with a place in the finals locked in, and took to the court with a sense of freedom that reflected this position.
Claimed: Kathryn Dundon gets on the ball. Photo: Wayne Herring
The Bulldogs blew away the Lions in the first quarter, as they took a 14-goal lead into the first break.
Seymour found its way into the game in the second period, but the Bulldogs extended their lead.
The away side was in top gear, as the Lions tried out new combinations and dug deep.
Ellie Fuhrmeister and Kathryn Dundon played well together, while Courtney Adams was solid at the defensive end in delaying play.
Under pressure: Kathryn Dundon holds on to the ball. Photo: Wayne Herring
The Bulldogs kept pushing in the second half, and won the third quarter by 10 goals.
While the Lions scored more frequently in the final spell, the Bulldogs ended up winning 63-34.
The loss brought the Lions’ six-game winning streak to an end, while top-of-the-table rivals Euroa and Mooroopna recorded comprehensive wins against Kyabram and Mansfield respectively.
The loss could not put a dampener on the rest of the day’s proceedings, as the club commemorated Sarah’s Day, an event in honour of Sarah Locke and all those in the Lions’ community who have been impacted by cancer.
The event aimed to raise awareness and funds for Breast Cancer Network Australia through the purchasing of pink beanies and a high tea function following the game.
With one game to go, the Lions will be hoping the Magpies and Cats record upset losses so Seymour can claim a top-two berth.
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