The Goannas were disappointed as the loss cost them an all-important top-three position, and they now face sudden-death in the semi-final this Saturday (albeit at home).

Kurri were determined to send Daniel Abraham out of Bulldogs colours as a victor in his 100th and final first grade game before he heads home to Macquarie next year.

The Goannas opened the scoring in the second minute when Liam Foran threw a sweet cut-out pass that found Cal Orchard with room to move on the right edge, and he didn’t miss the opportunity and scored out wide to give the home side a 4-0 lead.

A fumble from Abraham allowed Brendan Williams to race away to score under the post, and Willie Heta’s conversion extended the Goannas lead to 10-0.

The Bulldogs got back into the grind and put it through the hands for Ryan Walker to score in the 26th minute to trail 10-6.

Quick tries to Shaun Metcalf and Heta before half-time extended the Goannas lead to 20-6, sending the Bulldogs to the sheds with one hand firmly on the wooden spoon.

At the break, Cessnock coach Craig Miller emphasised the fact that the team had not been respecting possession enough and if they continued down that path, it would let the Bulldogs back into the game.

A different Kurri side emerged from oranges as Walker showed blistering pace to score within 45 seconds of the second half.

A deft Mick Campton offload led to a second-phase onslaught as Walker completed his hat trick moments later to trail 20-14.

Walker, the Real NRL leading try scorer (12 in 13 games) has proved a revelation in the tri-colours this year after migrating from the Butcher Boys.

An exciting passage of play came in the 54th minute when Mitch Cullen, in his 100th grade game, threw an intercept pass to Goannas winger Joe Woodbury, who almost raced 90 metres to score.

Bulldogs wingers Lochie Hill and Kyle Smith did well to shut Woodbury down metres from the try line, with Smith and Tim Bennett holding up a try in the next play.

A bizarre incident led to both Foran and Campton spending ten in the bin.

Kurri stayed strong in defence, scoring in the next passage of play through Hill after a brilliant set-up from Abraham and the returning Scott Dunn to level up at 20-all.

Dunn had a try of his own in the 66th minute from a Cullen cut-out ball, taking the lead for the first time in the game.

Cessnock had their chances in the final ten to win the game, but poor composure and handling errors at crucial times cruelled their chances.

Bennett scored the match-sealing try five minutes from full time.

The Bulldogs dug deep for milestone men, Abraham, a standout performer in his final Kurri game as was Cullen in his 100th grade game.

The Goannas’ prospects were not helped by the early injury to Alec Fata, who missed the majority of the game, and losing their main strike player Williams midway through the second half.

Shaun Metcalf was voted players’ player while Orchard and Brendan Hlad also played well.

Cessnock will take on Central in the elimination semi-final at Cessnock Sportsground on Saturday at 3pm.

RESERVE GRADE

The Goannas took the spoils in reserve grade, which finished 16-14.

Mark Chenery’s Bulldogs were unlucky to miss the finals in a season that showed much promise, with the promotion of reserve graders Hayden Grainger, Corey Holman, Josh Papworth and Kyle Smith to the first grade team showing Kurri’s much improved depth in 2015.

Cessnock’s players’ player went to Jade Antcliffe, whose form in the last six weeks has gone to another level.

They will play South Newcastle in the elimination semi-final at Cessnock on Saturday at 1.30pm.

OPEN AGE

Kurri held off a spirited Cessnock side in the open age clash with a 32-26 win.

Co-captain-coach Mick Carr enjoyed victory in his 200th grade game, a milestone both open age coaches have reached.

The Bulldogs remain undefeated since Mother’s Day in April, securing third spot and a second chance in the semis. They play Lakes in the major qualifying final at Cahill Oval on Sunday.

It was Cessnock’s best effort of the year against the form team of the competition. Coach Ethan Hodson, in his first season of coaching, has done a good job and has earned the respect of all his team.

UNDER-19S

Kurri’s under-19s did not play due to the Cessnock forfeit and finished the season in fifth place.

They will face Lakes United in the elimination semi-final at Cessnock on Saturday at 11am.

The Bulldogs will be looking to exact revenge on the Seagulls after copping a heavy 52-4 loss in round nine.

***

In other news, the Kurri Bulldogs have applied for the next round of the Holden Home Ground Advantage Grant.

The grant is designed to give grass roots sporting clubs the chance to upgrade their facilities with $10,000 and $100,000 grants.

The club aims to secure funding for refurbishments to the northern and southern grandstands to enhance the game day experience for players, fans and officials.

Filmmakers Chardon Waite and Matt Petherbridge created a video to support the application. Check out the link to the video below: