The clash of the round between the 2 unbeaten teams lived up to expectations.
The Magpies threatened to run away with the game at times but the tenacious Bulldogs hung on.
The inaccurate kicking by the Pies did not aid their efforts to put the Dogs away but they had more winners around the ground to stay ahead of the Dogs and in the end winning by 17 points.
To the Dogs credit they never gave up and kept pushing the Pies all the way.
For the Pies Teolime was a standout in defence.
His ability to read the play and his agility to get away from the opposition was outstanding.
Young Tama Jeremiah was also strong in defence for the Pies.
Up forward Kenneth Oppenheimer was hard to stop, kicking 4 goals.
For the Dogs Aykers Daniel was lively in attack also kicking 4 goals. Recruit Rico Scotty had good patches kicking 2 goals.
Magpies 3.7 6.13 10.14 15.16.106
Bulldogs 3.0 5.2 8.4 14. 5. 89
Goals
Magpies: Kenneth Oppenheimer 4, Richmond Spanner 2, Iverson Star 2, Jayco Ageidu 2, Reed Dageago, Kazaam Baui, Daiga Deireragea, Dave Mwaredaga, Bagewa Detudamo
Bulldogs: Aykers Daniel 4, Rico Scotty 2, Snuka Adire, Renato Hubert, Baia Aubiat, Vicromic Star, Nanitten Temaki, Donatello Moses, Rotto Dannang, Lennox Agege
Best
Magpies: Teolime Kamtaura, Mallinson Batsiua, Bagewa Detudamo, Kenneth Oppenheimer, Yoshi Harris, Tama Jeremiah
Bulldogs: Patrick Agadio, Steven Kam, Conrace Detabene, Nanniten Temaki, Devine Agir, Niga Haulangi, Aykers Daniel
Injuries - none
Umpires: Julian & Nicholas
Hawks grounded by the Cats
The Hawks led in the first quarter but that was the only joy they got for the day, as the Cats took over and controlled the rest of the game.
Shawn Kemp Maaki was dominant for the Cats picking up 17 possessions, 3 marks, 2 tackles and kicking a goal as well.
Cats speedster Pilo Dagiaro had 22 possessions and 8 marks but most of his possessions were ineffective hence his impact on the game was much less.
Cats talls in Trent Depaune and Tiana Waidabu were both good again, Trent kicking 4 goals whilst Tiana Waidubu collected 16 possession, 6 marks and kicked a goal.
For the Hawks, again they were led by their young brigade in Darnel Diema and Jeremiah Kam. Darnel Diema picked up 20 disposals, took 5 marks and kicked 2 goals.
Jeremiah Gil Kam played in defence and took 8 marks, 5 of them intercept marks.
Jeremiah's ability to read the ball and take a high contested mark, makes him an exciting talent to watch.
Cats 2.1 6.5 9.7 12.14.86
Hawks 3.2 3.4 4.7 7.12.54
Goals
Cats: Trent Depaune 4, Sheik Daoe 2, Otto Adam, Peter Hiram, Pilo Dagiaro, Dacson Temaki, Shawn Kemp Maaki, Tiana Waidabu
Hawks: Issel Daniel 2, Darnel Diema 2, Gaissa Jones, Zackeanu Deidenang, Renack Mau
Best
Cats: David Adeang, Shawn Kemp Maaki, Bismark Timothy, Trent Depaune, Dacson Temaki, Lockett Mau
Hawks: Darnel Diema, Ishmael Fritz, Jeremiah Kam, Gaissa Jones, Maverick Batsiua, Wilkes Deiye
Injuries – none
Umpires: Ben & Jezza
Bombers taking care of business
The Bombers who were still reeling from the after the siren loss to the Bulldogs last week, came out firing keen to get back on the winners list.
Veterans Agir Amwano and Johnny Dagiaro starred for the Bombers, both racking up a game high 24 disposals each.
Agir also took 4 marks while Johnny took 5 marks and laid 2 tackles.
Up forward Khyde Menke had the sticky gloves on as he marked everything coming his way.
He finished with 5 goals.
Bombers Ruckman Kaison Tatum had the better of the Roos ruckmen and his on-ballers German Grundler and Tipung Kamtaura capitalised with German picking up 17 disposals and 2 goals and Tipung gaining 13 disposals, 5 marks and also kicking 2 goals.
For the Roos their skipper Charles Dagiaro tried valiantly to inspire his team but he only had a few helpers.
Charles had 18 disposals and 5 marks but unfortunately for the Roos not many stood up in the middle.
Dangerous forward, Bronco Deidenang had 10 kicks, 4 marks and kicked 5 goals. Joeson Kanimea who returned from suspension was busy, hitting the contest hard and providing the Roos with a good target up forward along with new recruit Marcus Paul Detenamo.
Between them they kicked 5 majors. Roos experienced defenders Shenko Canon and Jeluka Temaki played strongly down back for the Roos.
Bombers 5.4 8.6 11.9 17.13.115
Kangaroos 3.0 5.2 9.3 12. 4.76
Goals
Bombers: Khyde Menke 5, Tango Hubert 3, Tipung Kamtaura 2, German Grundler 2, Kaison Tatum, Bremoki Maaki, Daniel Daniel, Chris Akibwib, Gary Neneiya
Kangaroos: Bronco Deidenang 5, Marcus Paul Detenamo 3, Joeson Kanimea 2, Jeluka Temaki, Kualumpa Tannang
Best
Bombers: Agir Amwano, Johnny Dagiaro, Tipung Kamtaura, German Grundler, Kaison Tatum, Khyde Menke
Kangaroos: Charles Dagiaro, Shenko Canon, Jarmen Pole, Joeson Kanimea, Marcus Paul Detenamo, Charmoro Ribauw
Injuries – Templa Tau (Kangaroos) Concussion REPORTS – Nil
Umpires: Julian, Nicholas & Ben
Leading goalkickers
Bronco Deidenang (Kangaroos) 16
Jamie Tagamoun (Hawks) 11
Khyde Menke (Bombers) 10
Aykers Daniel (Bulldogs) 8
Yoshi Harris (Magpies) 8
Richmond Spanner (Magpies) 7
Kenneth Oppenheimer (Magpies) 6
Snuka Adire (Bulldogs) 6
Jose Uepa (Bulldogs) 6
Ladder
Team
1 Magpies 12
2 Bombers 8
3 Cats 8
4 Bulldogs 8
5 Hawks 0
6 Kangaroos 0
Next week – Round 4
Friday Mar-31 5pm Bombers vs Cats
Saturday Apr-01
9am Kangaross vs Magpies
10.45am Hawks Vs Bulldogs
(Photos courtesy of Emo Batsiua and Julian van den Driest)
