Defence key in qualifying final

After successfully repelling a near relentless second half siege from the Eaton Boomers in the qualifying final, Bunbury is well prepared for the threat posed by South Bunbury’s versatile forward line, according to Bulldogs coach Ryan Pitts.

Bunbury held a 21-point lead at half-time of Sunday’s game but lost the midfield battle after the break, exposing its backline to wave after wave of Boomers’ attacks.

Despite the immense pressure the Bulldogs’ defence held firm, restricting the reigning premiers to just five goals and eight behinds from 29 inside 50s – enough to hold on for a narrow eight-point victory courtesy of late goals to Trent Gribble and Marc Re.

“I have been really impressed with the defence in the last month, ” Pitts said.

“We’ve been able to hold the opposition to lower scores and that is the result of a combination of midfield pressure and a really tight backfield unit.”

Utility Jordan Adamson-Holmes, who began the season in the forward half, has become an integral part of Bunbury’s defence and Pitts said the former Subiaco Lion would likely remain down back against the Tigers.

“South Bunbury has a tall forward half and we’ll look to counteract that, ” Pitts said.

“Jordy is a good key position back man and he is important to our structure so he will start in defence.”

Bunbury has allowed just 165 points in its last four outings but faces a stiffer test against Souths.

Ashton Preedy (hamstring) is the only Bulldogs casualty from the qualifying final and Pitts said he would take a mostly unchanged side into Sunday’s clash where he expects improvement around the stoppages.

“Eaton probably got first use of the footy in the second half and we need to get back on top in that area.

“It allowed them to get their transition footy happening which hurt us so we need to make sure our midfield pressure is up all game against Souths.”

Helping the Bulldogs’ cause in that regard is a knee injury to first choice South Bunbury ruckman Wes Lammie, Tigers’ coach Alan Crane forced to pinch hit this weekend with vice-captain Chris Andrew.

“Lammie is a day by day proposition but he is not likely to play this week unless something drastic happens so Chris will lead our ruck, ” Crane said.

Crane said mid-season recruit Adam Hunter would start up front but did not rule out moving the former West Coast Eagle into defence to combat Bunbury’s tall key forwards.

He was coy on his plan for captain Matt Giacci, who in recent clashes has fulfilled a tagging role on Bunbury counterpart Jesse Gribble.

“We don’t put tags on – we have plans in case a player is hurting us for sure, but if you put a running tag on and that player has a bad day, you have wasted one of your players, ” Crane said.

“If you put too much emphasis on one player and forget about the others you can easily get burnt.”

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