Sea Eagles grand final prop Mark Bryant guides Avalon Bulldogs into grand final

AVALON Bulldogs co-coach Mark Bryant is under no illusions as to the task facing his side in Sunday’s A grade grand final against Narraweena at Brookie.

Avalon on the attack in their A-grrade preliminary final against Avalon. Picture: Troy Snook.

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AVALON Bulldogs co-coach Mark Bryant is under no illusions as to the task facing his side in Sunday’s A grade grand final against the experienced Narraweena outfit at Brookvale Oval.

“We are a young team and the boys love playing footy,” said Sea Eagles premiership winning prop Bryant.

“It’s going to be an uphill battle on Sunday, Narraweena have been the form team of the competition.”

The Bulldogs qualified for the premiership decider after defeating Forestville 18-10 in Sunday’s preliminary final at Hitchcock Park.

Avalon cart the ball up against Forestville at Hitchcock Park. Picture: Troy Snook

But Bryant did not get carried away by his side’s performance.

“I thought they hung in there but we dropped a little too much ball,” he said.

In the end Bryant believes it was Avalon’s fitness and defence which saw them finish on top.

“Forestville were very physical and they threw a lot at us,” he said.

Frontrowers Aaron Groom and Jared Palmer asserted their authority in the middle while Michael Bowden had a strong game at fullback.

In the second division preliminary final, Narrabeen whipped Pennant Hills 30-8.

They will play Valley in their grand final on Sunday