Bulldogs much too good for Lions

THREE goals from Barry Hall and a promising display by recruit Tom Liberatore helped the Western Bulldogs to a 70-point win over the Brisbane Lions at Visy Park on Saturday afternoon.

As the temperature climbed into the high 20s, the Bulldogs kicked 20.8 (128) to the Lions 8.10 (58) in their NAB Challenge clash.

The Bulldogs dominated a Lions side missing Jonathan Brown, Luke Power, Simon Black and Josh Drummond.

Liberatore, the son of 1990 Brownlow medalist Tony, showed plenty of spark in the midfield, reading the play well and delivering it to teammates cleanly.

He was supported by Daniel Cross, who starred in the engine room, as well as Nathan Djerrkura and Patrick Veszpremi, who showed why the Bulldogs traded for them at the end of last year with some dangerous work in the front half.

Lucas Markovic also played well and could be in line for senior selection in the early rounds.

Daniel Rich was the Lions' best out of the midfield, while recruit Ryan Lester presented well up forward, but let himself down with his disposal, kicking 1.3.

Mitch Clark played mainly as a forward in a sign that he may be groomed for the role vacated by Brendan Fevola, but he was well beaten by Bulldog Tom Williams who won plenty of contests and rebounded strongly.

Lions coach Michael Voss said he was planning to use Clark as a key forward with occasional bursts in the ruck as the Lions look to adjust to the new substitute rule.

"Hopefully he will be able to spend more time in that part of the ground. Everyone wants to play that extra runner don't they? But we'll see if we can get away with playing Mitch five minutes at a time in the ruck," Voss said.

"That's what the pre-season's for, being able to throw different ideas around and do different things to see what works and what doesn't work."

Matt Maguire and rookie Broc McCauley shared the ruck duties, with Voss saying after the match that Maguire was set to play the mobile backup ruckman role that is all the rage in modern day football.

Shaun Higgins had plenty of presence in attack for the Bulldogs and in the middle while a noticeably bulkier Callan Ward used his body to great effect, brushing off the raw Lion cubs.

Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade was not getting carried away with the one-sided result.

"Overall there were some pleasing signs. There are still some things we've got to work on considering they were a bit weakened with players out," he said after the match.

"Obviously it was hot today. Our players were a bit fatigued in the end and I imagine they were as well."

Western Bulldogs 4.3 10.5 16.7 20.8 (128)
Brisbane Lions 2.2 4.5 5.7 8.10 (58)

GOALS


Western Bulldogs: Hall 3, Higgins 2, Giansiracusa 2, Ward 2, Jones 2, Veszpremi 2, Moles 2, Griffen, Liberatore, Minson, Howard, Djerrkura

Brisbane Lions: McGrath 2, Clark 2, Banfield, Lester, Retzlaff, Rockliff

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Williams, Cross, Liberatore, Markovic, Higgins, Giansiracusa

Brisbane Lions: Rich, Banfield, Lester, McGrath, Retzlaff

INJURIES


Western Bulldogs: Nil

Brisbane Lions: Nil


Reports: Nil

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsartic...6/default.aspx

The way Gilbee limped out of the changerooms and into the carpark did not suggest that our injuries were nil.

Markovic getting mentioned a lot during our pre season campaign, very interesting.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DaDruid

The way Gilbee limped out of the changerooms and into the carpark did not suggest that our injuries were nil.

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Ouch - any further on this piece of news?

Addison and Shermanator were casualties apparently....Addo knocked out, and Shermo copped a corky (info from Rocket at Family Day)

Tommy gun is the one who is flying he must not know what a pre-season is he should have a great year looking forward to seeing him and big brian in the team together