Bunyip, at last

By Ken Moore
FEW would begrudge a Bunyip premiership in the thirds.
After being runners-up four times in the last five seasons Bunyip finally broke through for a flag after it accounted for a gallant Longwarry by 11 points.
The Bulldogs led from go to whoa but was made to fight all the way.
Bunyip set up a seven-point lead at quarter time and put itself in a robust position in the second quarter when Rickie Crockett, Troy Lehman and Chris Chilcott all goaled to extend the lead to 19 points at half time.
Longwarry came out with intent in the third term and goals by Daniel Farley and Rhys Holland trimmed the difference to only eight points.
From mid-way through the third quarter the Bulldogs answered the challenge and when Mitch Davies took a strong mark and set up Tim Edwards for his first goal Bunyip opened up a 15-point gap at three-quarter time.
Early in the final quarter Longwarry spearhead Jason Wells hauled in a good mark and kicked truly to cut the margin to eight points. But when Bunyip forward Mitch Davies read play well, roved a loose ball and drilled through a goal mid-term the Bulldogs look certain to have their hands on the premiership cup.
Longwarry refused to bow and kept coming but could only manufacture three behinds and fell 11 points short.
Bunyip’s Harry O’Neil, a quality player in the making, was awarded the best on ground honours and the Bulldogs had many other fine contributors led by captain Jake Buckingham, fellow midfielder Wayne Morris, and half backs Ash Walker and Brad Wolfe.
Ruckman Clay Simpson picked up many handy disposals and defender Aaron Goldsmith played an assured game.
For Longwarry league best-and-fairest Dylan Holland was prominent, Dylan Serong was busy across centre half forward, while Jake Serong and Thomas Metselaar kept close tabs on their respective opponents and key Bulldog forwards Mitch Davies and Chris Chilcott.
“Longwarry played well but I thought we were the better side and have been all season and that is how it turned out,” Bunyip coach Pat Henwood said after the match.
“We started as 26 boys and all finished together as a team. Credit to all the boys and for that matter their parents, their attitude has been great and have been good to work with.”