Game Day - Bulldogs vs Lions

[GVGjr]

This is the discussion thread for tonights game.

Who's you tip to kick the first goal for us? I'll go with Gia

Another critical game for us.

[LostDoggy]

Aker to kick the first goal.

[BulldogBelle]

Aker to kick the first goal, it is his stage tonight up against his former side and no doubt a hostile crowd.

[Go_Dogs]

Higgins first goal. Not showing this game on fta or foxtel, BAH!

[Bulldog Revolution]

Aker to kick the first goal, it is his stage tonight up against his former side and no doubt a hostile crowd.

Thats the script- I'm happy with Aker kicking the first

[bornadog]

I will go with captain Johnno.

[southerncross]

Good first quarter after having the first 2 goals kicked against us.
Johnno providing a great target up forward. Aker kicking 2 in a minute was terrific.

Not sure how Boyd can miss such an easy shot.

[southerncross]

Williams and Harbrow impressed but the injuries to Cross and Griffen will be devastating.

[southerncross]

Some nice goals in the 3rd quarter. Even without Cross and Griffen when have done very well against the much vaunted Lions midfield.

[southerncross]

Dogs have the last laugh


Boos may have met his every move but Jason Akermanis still enjoyed a happy homecoming at the Gabba tonight.
The controversial onballer soaked up the hype in his first game against his former club to help the Western Bulldogs claim a 13.17 (95) to 10.12 (72) AFL victory over the Brisbane Lions.
Once Brisbane's favourite son, Akermanis was public enemy No.1 in his much hyped return to his old stomping ground.
He may have been in the doghouse with the Lions faithful but the former Brownlow Medallist lapped up the hostile surroundings as the Western Bulldogs snapped a worrying two-game losing run.
The four-time All Australian would have been forgiven for being nervous after a massive build-up to the grudge match.
Despite trying to keep a low profile during the week, Akermanis couldn't help himself today - he appeared on the local newspaper's front page standing on top of a skinned Lion.
For good measure, Akermanis provided a last minute niggle in his profile in the match program by listing his highlights as "birth, marriage, Charlotte (daughter), three premierships, getting traded to the Dogs".
But the three-time premiership player showed he was also here to play and made his intentions clear by kicking two goals in a minute in the opening term to help the Dogs put the bite on the shellshocked hosts.
So intense was the scrutiny on Akermanis that Channel Ten had a camera trained on him for the entire game, aptly named "Aker Cam".
But that did not stop several former teammates putting massive hits on the outspoken midfielder, including heavy shots by Jamie Charman in the first quarter and Joel Patfull in the second that made Akermanis wince.
However, Brisbane soon had other things to worry about - namely trying to derail a runaway Western Bulldogs.
Despite three goals each to Jared Brennan and Tim Notting tonight, Brisbane (4-1-6) has now gone without a win for five games including last round's draw with lowly Richmond.
The Dogs (6-5) revived their finals hopes thanks to four goals to veteran forward Brad Johnson.
The win was even more impressive considering the Bulldogs suffered serious injuries to Ryan Griffen and Daniel Cross (both knee).
Despite "Aker week", Brisbane was also distracted by co-captain Simon Black being charged mid-week over a 2006 Melbourne pub brawl.
At first it didn't show with Brisbane kicking the first two goals in the opening four minutes of the match.

But they then had to wait until the ninth minute of the third before booting another major as the Dogs cut loose.
The Bulldogs led 7.12 (54) to 2.6 (18) at the first break, 6.8 (44) to 2.3 (15) at halftime and 13.15 (93) to 7.8 (50) at the final interval following a mini-Lions revival.
Although Brisbane kept the Dogs goal-less in the final term, when the dust finally settled Akermanis could be seen completing his trademark winning handstand - mostly to boos from the 29,873-strong crowd.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 6.8 7.12 13.15 13.17 (95) BRISBANE LIONS 2.3 2.6 7.8 10.12 (72)
Goals: Western Bulldogs: B Johnson 4 J Akermanis 2 N Eagleton 2 A Cooney M Boyd M Hahn S Higgins F Ray. Brisbane: J Brennan 3 T Notting 3 J Brown 2 N Lappin M Allan.
Best: Western Bulldogs: B Johnson L Gilbee B Harris N Eagleton J Akermanis. Brisbane: J Charman T Notting N Lappin J Brennan.
Umpires: M Stevic R Chamberlain S Wenn.
Official crowd: 29,873 at the Gabba.
Injuries: Brisbane: A McGrath (knee) replaced in selected side by C Schmidt. Western Bulldogs: D Cross (knee) R Griffen (knee).
Reports: Nil.

[bornadog]

Dissapointing we didn't put them away after being at least 50 points up at one stage, only kicked two points in the last. Overall we controlled the game and never really exerted ourselves. Hopefully Cross and Griffen will be back later on in the year.

[southerncross]

I liked the way the team kept going to Aker and congratulating him. All the talk that they are not united appears to be incorrect.

Akermanis hot, but old Bullies wag tail

JASON Akermanis has a treasure trove of trophies, including a Brownlow Medal and three premierships with the Brisbane Lions.

Back to his old best Jason Akermanis showed glimpses of brilliance against his old side the Brisbane Lions last night at the Gabba with 14 disposals and two goals. Picture: David Kapernick
Akermanis now plays for the Western Bulldogs, but no matter what he achieves there he will not enjoy - either in Brisbane or the Western suburbs - genuine hero worship.
Brad Johnson and Scott West don't have a premiership between them, nor a Brownlow Medal.
But they deservedly can boast hero worship.
Last night they combined for their 500th game for the club and there was no fuss or fanfare.
Forget the soap opera that accompanied Akermanis's return to the Gabba last night.
When the match began, the two Bulldog legends simply did what they do time and again.
Their class and determined football quickly silenced the Gabba crowd as they led their team to a 23-point victory.
That took their record to 6-6 for the season and kept them in touch with the top eight.
Johnson took less than half a game to account for three opponents - Jed Adcock, Daniel Merrett and Joel Patfull. He finished with four goals.
West enjoyed his usual ratio of disposals, this week 26.
Akermanis contributed with two goals in two minutes late in the opening term to set up a 29-point lead at the first break.
He added more to the theatre of the evening than to the victory.
The Lions began with the opening two goals within three minutes, but after that it was a drought.
Until Jonathan Brown added another in the third term, the Lions had been goaless for half a match plus five minutes.
The big gamble was to take only one specialist ruckman Jamie Charman into the match.
When he had to go into the fence to stop the Bulldog's onslaught the game was pretty much over. Peter Street dominated the centre hitouts and clearances, and the Bulldog runners swept the ball away at will.
Simon Black clearly played under the handicap of a calf injury, but that was scant excuse for the way the Lions allowed the Bulldogs to run free to create uncontested possession.
The second quarter was embarrassing. Johnson scored the only goal of the term at the 13-minute mark and many Lions fans left at the interval with the team 36 points down.
The Bulldogs seemingly decided to boost their percentage halfway through the third term.
Three goals in five minutes extended the lead to 55 points but the carefree play suddenly allowed Brisbane to enjoy their most productive period of the game. They kicked four goals in eight minutes, an extraordinary contrast given they managed only two goals for more than half of the match.
To their credit, the Lions refused to surrender and added creditability to their cause in the final term.
Late goals reduced the final margin to a flattering 23 points.
The Lions had workmanlike efforts from Nigel Lappin and Charman, but many of the younger players who played with much confidence earlier this season seemingly have retreated into passive players.
The Lions have lost touch with the top eight and, despite last week's draw against Richmond have not won a match for seven rounds.
The Bulldogs could take heart from this away win and the signs are that Luke Darcy, who spent a fair time on the field last night, will continue to improve and add height to their flight of foot brigade.
The match finished with Akermanis performing his traditional handstand, but with Johnson and West having laid the foundation to enable his flair.

[dog town]

Just a couple of thoughts on a few of our performances...

Guido- Back to the way we know he can play. His last 5 weeks has actually been pretty reasonable but last night was another step up again. Got us going early I thought.

Griffen- What a shame. Was playing the best game of his career when he went down. His attack on the ball and work rate was up at a level it has not been at before and hopefully the penny has dropped.

Aker- I actually think he has been unfairly criticised this year. He has been playing as a permanent half forward so he is not going to get huge stats. His job is to kick 1 or 2 and set up plenty and thats exactly what he has been doing especially of late. He is getting those sharp crumbs off packs now and exploding away which is what I have been looking for.

Cooney- Work rate has lifted and is enjoying spending more time in the midfield. I have noticed him getting back to help out in defence lately as well which is something he just hasn't done previously.

Gilbee- Teams have been working him over alot but last night they gave him way to much latitude. We simply wont lose when they give him that sort of room.

Higgins- Teams are running him back down the ground at the moment and its working. I certainly wouldn't drop him or anything but its a good experience for him. Notting ran him around at times last night.

Darcy- By no means back to his best but I saw some good signs last night. Ran to link up a few times and applied some good tackle pressure.

[LostDoggy]

Darcy- By no means back to his best but I saw some good signs last night. Ran to link up a few times and applied some good tackle pressure.

Agreed, not great but was better than Street last night.

[Go_Dogs]

How serious are the knee injuries? Couldn't see the game last night as I had other commitments, and not what I like seeing first thing this morning reading the paper. Terrible news if they're both out.