Premiers face new start to the season

The Bulldogs head into round five having played just one match, beating Shellharbour comfortably a month ago in round two.

 A washout, the bye and no play on Anzac Day have left the Bulldogs effectively to re-start their season tonight  against Kiama side coming off a tough loss against Wollongong Lions.

‘‘It does feel like a new start to the season,’’ Bulldogs coach Lee Murray said.

‘‘We haven’t missed a training night, with some indoor sessions and boxing and other activities to keep the boys fit. But the match fitness is obviously missing and we need to play games.’’

   The Bulldogs have a strong squad for a tilt at fourth straight Division 1 flag, but face a stern test from Wollongong Lions - in their comeback season to South Coast AFL - and along with last season’s grand finalists Northern Districts appear the early season contenders.

  Kiama have been beaten by Nowra and the Lions in their only two matches this season but will be fired up for a strong showing with the match played under lights at Boronia Park.  (6.10pm)

 In other games, Northern Districts and Bomaderry meet for the first time since their epic finals clash last season.

 Norths showed they were premiership contenders with a tight win over Bomaderry on a mudbath in the 2014 finals, after Bomo eliminated them the previous season. 

 With the Lions and Bulldogs also having a stake on a top two spot in 2015, Norths can’t afford a second loss in five rounds after being beaten by the Lions in round two. 

Bomaderry have faced a stop-start season and after beating Nowra in round one had a three week break before an eight point loss to Shellharbour last Saturday.

 Bomaderry led by 23 points at three-quarter time but the Suns kicked five goals to one in the final term for an emotional win at Jock Brown Oval.

 Suns coach Andy Wilton praised his side’s physicality after halftime.

 Shellharbour face a desperate Nowra in the other round five clash at West Street Oval.

   Nowra were right in the contest for three quarters against Norths before suffering a 21-point loss.

  With another home game and the Suns confident after their comeback win over Bomaderry it should be a tight clash at West Street Oval.

 Meanwhile the South Coast Thunder, fresh from an historic first win in the Sydney AFL Division 1 take on Uni of NSW/Eastern Suburbs on Sunday. 

 The Thunder (one win/two losses) are in eighth place, while the Bulldogs have one win, two losses and one draw from four rounds.

 The Thunder v Bulldogs game is from 12-noon at Village Green.

SOUTH COAST AFL (SATURDAY)

Northern Districts v Bomaderry at Hollymount Park (2.10pm)

Nowra v Shellharbour at West Street Oval (3pm)

Kiama v Wollongong Bulldogs at Bonaira Oval (6.10pm)

Bye:  Wollongong Lions