Again starting the half with a patient style of play, the Bulldogs were starting to assert their dominance and the confidence amongst the group became visible.
Brock Smith finished off some good lead up work by captain Harry Boxsell, Smith showing some neat skills to dummy then barge his way over in front of some vocal family support.
Boxsell then got his own name on the score sheet, slicing through the defence from 40 metres out and not having a hand laid on him, while soon after his accuracy with the boot saw McTavish receive a fortunate bounce, in turn finding big Ben Piffero close by and Piffero made no mistake of ensuring Coota went ahead by another four points.
Man of the Match, Josh Harris, then closed out the scoring a few minutes before full time, beating a handful of would-be defenders in a long-range effort and capping a fine individual game.
While Harris was awarded the main honour as far as best on ground goes, McTavish, Boxsell and Neale all had outstanding games on the big stage, while Piffero, Alex Browne and Dillan Webber provided the side with the muscle needed during some physical exchanges.
Max O’Loughlin and John McGuinness along with Matt Wilde again provided effective impact when injected into the game, while Gus Smart and Isaiah Pulleine got through a mountain of work in the middle and the execution of their delivery at the ruck allowed the free-flowing footy the Bulldogs used to score their points.
The little general Paul Bean made sure his side was where they needed to be at all times with both a superb kicking game and organisation skills.
Outside backs Jake Winsor, Braiden Oddy and Jackson McCarthy were all outstanding, the mistake-free returning of kicks and crucial defensive reads a highlight as the Bulldogs completed an incredible undefeated season with the strong victory.
Bulldogs to take on Magpies in Championships Final After running out convincing winners in their Grand Final last weekend, Cootamundra Bulldogs Under 14s side will vie for the title of the regions best in their clash with Wagga Magpies this Saturday at McDonald’s Park in Wagga.
Magpies overcame a scare from Turvey Park, 28-14, to earn their place in the championships while the Bulldogs took care of Gundagai thirty points to nil.
In what is sure to be a fitting finale to season 2022 for both sides, the Bulldogs have been one of the most impressive in bush footy, scoring 669 points in their 16 games, whilst only conceding 32. Magpies have been equally as dominant, 648 points coming for the lads in black and white and only allowing 142 to be scored against them.
Belief will be a big talking point in the Cootamundra camp this week in the lead up to Saturday’s match, and if the coaching staff can have their troops in the correct mindset, the junior Dogs will be bringing home their second piece of silverware in as many weeks.
On behalf of the entire Rugby League community in Cootamundra, all the best to the Under 14s and congratulations on an already successful season.