southerncross
17-06-2007, 09:52 AM
Eade praises his gutsy Bulldogs (http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,21919460%255E20322,00.html)
BULLDOGS coach Rodney Eade has hailed his undermanned side's "gutsy" victory over Fremantle as one of the best in the club's recent history after a late surge set up a 26-point win in Darwin.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,5528936,00.jpg
Trademark: Jason Akermanis does his customary handstand. Picture: Tim Carrafa
The Bulldogs lost Robert Murphy early to a hamstring strain and had several injured players, but still ran over the Dockers last night after withstanding a Fremantle siege in the first half.
Down by as many as 20 points in the second term, the Dogs slowly worked their way back into the game before kicking six last-term goals to put the Dockers to the sword.
The win elevates the 7-5 Dogs to seventh place ahead of their clash against the Kangaroos on Sunday week.
"It is just a gutsy win," Eade said. "For us to find a way to win, I think it is as good a win as this club has had for a long time (considering) the conditions and the fact Fremantle said publicly they had their season on the line. You could see both sides were out on their feet in the last quarter."
The Dogs lost midfielders Daniel Cross and Ryan Griffen for up to eight games last week, but despite high humidity and a temperature of 26C they ran the Dockers off their legs.
"I think that is the pleasing thing," Eade said. "People were asking how we were going to cover 'Crossy', more than 'Griff', who is a bit more explosive and powerful. A bloke like Daniel Cross really can run the line. I think we were able to share the load."
Brad Johnson starred with 23 possessions and Scott West (25 possessions) and Matthew Boyd (23) were excellent. Jason Akermanis kicked two late goals after a quiet match, while the defence again rallied despite Fremantle having eight more forward entries.
Murphy, who has already tweaked his right hamstring this season, looks set to miss two matches after injuring his left hamstring in the third quarter.
"It's the other hamstring, which is a good sign. It's not the one he did, so that's good," Eade said. "At worst, it will be three weeks, which will be two games. At best, he will only miss one."
Chris Connolly faces scrutiny after another poor performance and the club's upcoming half-year review in Perth this week.
The Dockers face Carlton on Saturday week, a must-win match both for the club and for Connolly, in the last year of his contract.
Connolly said the Dockers were failing to take their chances in winnable games.
"We had our chances. We have gone inside 50 deep enough, had enough scoring shots," he said.
"We were up by two and a half goals at times, but just kick the next goal.
"It is very disappointing."
BULLDOGS coach Rodney Eade has hailed his undermanned side's "gutsy" victory over Fremantle as one of the best in the club's recent history after a late surge set up a 26-point win in Darwin.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,5528936,00.jpg
Trademark: Jason Akermanis does his customary handstand. Picture: Tim Carrafa
The Bulldogs lost Robert Murphy early to a hamstring strain and had several injured players, but still ran over the Dockers last night after withstanding a Fremantle siege in the first half.
Down by as many as 20 points in the second term, the Dogs slowly worked their way back into the game before kicking six last-term goals to put the Dockers to the sword.
The win elevates the 7-5 Dogs to seventh place ahead of their clash against the Kangaroos on Sunday week.
"It is just a gutsy win," Eade said. "For us to find a way to win, I think it is as good a win as this club has had for a long time (considering) the conditions and the fact Fremantle said publicly they had their season on the line. You could see both sides were out on their feet in the last quarter."
The Dogs lost midfielders Daniel Cross and Ryan Griffen for up to eight games last week, but despite high humidity and a temperature of 26C they ran the Dockers off their legs.
"I think that is the pleasing thing," Eade said. "People were asking how we were going to cover 'Crossy', more than 'Griff', who is a bit more explosive and powerful. A bloke like Daniel Cross really can run the line. I think we were able to share the load."
Brad Johnson starred with 23 possessions and Scott West (25 possessions) and Matthew Boyd (23) were excellent. Jason Akermanis kicked two late goals after a quiet match, while the defence again rallied despite Fremantle having eight more forward entries.
Murphy, who has already tweaked his right hamstring this season, looks set to miss two matches after injuring his left hamstring in the third quarter.
"It's the other hamstring, which is a good sign. It's not the one he did, so that's good," Eade said. "At worst, it will be three weeks, which will be two games. At best, he will only miss one."
Chris Connolly faces scrutiny after another poor performance and the club's upcoming half-year review in Perth this week.
The Dockers face Carlton on Saturday week, a must-win match both for the club and for Connolly, in the last year of his contract.
Connolly said the Dockers were failing to take their chances in winnable games.
"We had our chances. We have gone inside 50 deep enough, had enough scoring shots," he said.
"We were up by two and a half goals at times, but just kick the next goal.
"It is very disappointing."