Clean release: Tatura's Julia Clarke pops one through during the Bulldogs’ A-grade victory over Seymour.
Photo by
Liam Nash
A dogged fightback handed Tatura its first four points in a white-knuckled round one A-grade comeback against Seymour in Goulburn Valley League.
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The Bulldogs trailed until the third quarter at Tatura Park on Saturday, but skipped gears three and four as they shifted into overdrive when it counted to wrest a vital 52-50 victory from the Lions.
Tatura combatted Seymour’s early strangulation to break the shackles throughout the second half, leaving playing co-coach Elsie Boyer delighted at the final hooter.
“I think we’ve spoken a lot about how connected we feel coming off a season together,” she said.
“So it’s pretty special to come from behind, stay connected and finish with a win.”
Driving towards the ring: Tatura's Elsie Boyer.
Photo by
Liam Nash
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Locking on: Tatura's Steph Smith-Gorrie.
Photo by
Liam Nash
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Working the angle: Seymour's Olivia Barry.
Photo by
Liam Nash
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Give and go: Tatura's Molly Kennedy.
Photo by
Liam Nash
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On the hop: Seymour's Courtney Aldous.
Photo by
Liam Nash
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Feed it in: Tatura's Emma Quinn.
Photo by
Liam Nash
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Pressure play: Seymour's Ruby Martin.
Photo by
Liam Nash
Without stars Sarah Szczykulski, Casey Adamson and new goal threat Eleisha Saunders, Seymour hit the front initially and didn’t waste its five-goal advantage for large portions of quarters one and two.
Boyer kept busy in centre court for the Bulldogs, feeding her offensive threats, but the height and range of Lions goalkeeper Ruby Martin made life tough for Tatura’s Julia Clarke and Steph Smith-Gorrie.
However, the Dogs always remained in the race.
Tatura launched a late resurgence in the third term to tear strips off Seymour’s dominance and took a one-goal lead into three-quarter time.
From there, Bulldogs skipper Molly Boyle shut the rollerdoors in defence, while Clarke drilled attempt after attempt without fail, slotting 13 of Tatura’s 14 final-term goals to beat the highly-fancied Lions by two goals.
Boyer complimented the opposition after a hard-fought clash, noting Seymour never made things comfortable in the 2023 elimination final rematch.
“They were awesome from the first whistle,” she said.
“Ally Black in their goals, she was awesome and Ellie Fuhrmeister was too — I think with their attack end, they know each other really well.
“So to nut out them was really good, but they were playing really well as well, (playing) patient netball.
“I think our composure (was key); I think we stayed in the moment, we were composed. We didn’t get rushed or forced, it was just work it back, work it back.
“The only times we turned it over were when we rushed it. When we kept possession, we scored a lot of the time.”
Smith-Gorrie added to Boyer’s sentiment, lauding her partner in crime while waxing lyrical about her squad’s fluidity on the day.
“I like how connected we were; we were just nice and calm and we worked the ball,” she said.
“Els was a workhouse all day, she was just there for every second ball. And then Molly Boyle down in the defence, our captain, she just works and works.”
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