NEWS PAPER ARTICLE FORM THE CAIRNS WEEKEND POST 29/3/14

Centrals held off the Hawks early before shooting away at their Crathern Park home for a 10-goal victory on Saturday afternoon.

It was the start the Bulldogs were looking for, while the Hawks could take lots away as well considering their promising opening to the Northern Beaches exchange.

In suffocating heat, both teams felt each other out in the opening two quarters, with only a long bomb after the siren bringing the hosts even at quarter time.

It was the same in the second quarter, with Hawks captain Fred Pittorino (three goals) steady in front of goal and Cameron Duffy strong in attack and defence.

But playing a high press meant the Bulldogs were allowed some easy goals, Beau Seymour (four goals) twice goaling from close range as the Dogs edged ahead.

A seven-goal half time lead was inflated to 39 at the final break as the heat took its toll on tiring Hawks players, many of whom had played Colts (under 17.5) the night before.

“Pressing up like they did, you have to be super fit to do that, not even some AFL teams can do that for four quarters,” Bulldogs coach Peter Seymour said.

“But they were good, very impressive, and won’t be easy beat this season.”

Seymour was buzzing with the result, coupled with the big win in reserve grade, as hope is restored at Crathern Park.

“We’ll be competitive this season, but we’ll have to keep improving because every other club is better too,” he said.

“Our aim is to win our home games, to keep that gate turning over.”