By David Nagel
It was a memorable day for Phillip Island on Saturday with five sets of brothers rubbing shoulders in a 16.16(112) to 6.5(41) victory over Garfield at Cowes.
Charlie and Hayden Bruce, Brayden and Tyce Kleverkamp, Jesse and Jordy Patullo, Billy and Jack Taylor; and Cooper and Max Walton were all part of a Bulldogs’ blitzkrieg in the opening term…with the Bruce and Taylor siblings particular damaging.
Hayden Bruce and Jack Taylor kicked two each in the first quarter, with Charlie Bruce and Billy Taylor contributing one, while – ironically – Finlay Cousins kicked the other to keep an extended family theme through the goal-scoring list.
The Bulldogs were sharp and potent, while Garfield still seemed to be celebrating its first win in six weeks against Korumburra-Bena in round eight.
The Bulldogs were 45 points up at the first break and the destination of the four premiership points was certain.
Things appeared to be getting really ugly for the Stars when Jaymie Youle and Travis Woodfield kicked the opening two goals of the second term, before the visitors played their best footy for the match.
Consecutive goals to Lachie Spinks, Noah Rogers and Zac Soutar at least gave the travelling Stars something to cheer about.
Despite never being in the hunt, the Stars can console themselves with a nine goal to six scoreline after quarter time.
Jack Taylor led the way with three for the Doggies, while Charlie and Hayden Bruce were joined by Woodfield, a returning Mark Griffin and exciting-talent Zac Walker on an impressive best players list.
Spinks finished with three for Garfield, who had Will Cole play his best footy since round two.
Phillip Island hosts Tooradin-Dalmore this week in the WGFNC Match of the Day, while the Stars face another tough one at Nar Nar Goon.
