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Re: Game Day - Eagles vs Bulldogs
Bulldog spirit not quite enough
WEST COAST 3.5 6.7 9.12 10.17 (77)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 3.1 6.4 8.6 9.8 (62)
Goals: West Coast: M Priddis 3 Q Lynch 2 M LeCras 2 C Judd A Hunter S Armstrong. Western Bulldogs: D Giansiracusa 3 B Johnson 2 R Murphy F Ray J Akermanis J McMahon. Best: West Coast: M Priddis C Judd D Glass Q Lynch M LeCras. Western Bulldogs: D Giansiracusa M Boyd B Johnson D Cross B Harris.
Umpires: C Donlon M Vozzo D Margetts.
Official crowd: 40,668 at Subiaco Oval.
West Coast's unbeaten start to 2007 has continued but not without a serious examination, with the reigning premiers eventually overcoming the Western Bulldogs 10.17 (77) to 9.8 (62).
In a contest that never had more than three goals in it, respective skippers Brad Johnson and Chris Judd both had great games, at times on each other, in the absorbing battle.
More surprising was the performance of Matt Priddis, whose three goals, 25 possessions and massive workrate made a huge statement the day after the man he replaced, Ben Cousins, made his.
While Daniel Giansiracusa comprehensively beat David Wirrpanda to match Priddis' goal tally, he did not have quite as many able allies to repeat last year's shock win in Perth.
As so often at Subiaco Oval this year, the Eagles blasted from the blocks, with frontline pressure securing three set shots from kickable positions within seven minutes of the first bounce.
However all three resulted in behinds and Johnson was all too willing to show the Eagles the error of their ways, soccering through his first to get their scoring underway.
Priddis, Quinten Lynch and Judd then kicked goals to give the Eagles the early lead, before Robert Murphy and Farren Ray pegged them back to within four points before the Eagles took a three-point lead into half-time.
After a notable first half, Priddis' second started spectacularly, claiming two goals in quick succession as the Eagles put their foot down.
But with Wirrpanda's miserable day continuing when Giansiracusa kicked his third, the last change margin of 12 looked good, but not quite good enough.
With extreme pressure exerted by both teams in the last quarter, space was at a premium until Jordan McMahon made his own with three bounces before kicking truly to again set up a possible shock.
But with Darren Glass' outstanding season continuing, the Bulldogs could not find another goal as the Eagles held on.
Bulldog spirit not quite enough
WEST COAST 3.5 6.7 9.12 10.17 (77)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 3.1 6.4 8.6 9.8 (62)
Goals: West Coast: M Priddis 3 Q Lynch 2 M LeCras 2 C Judd A Hunter S Armstrong. Western Bulldogs: D Giansiracusa 3 B Johnson 2 R Murphy F Ray J Akermanis J McMahon. Best: West Coast: M Priddis C Judd D Glass Q Lynch M LeCras. Western Bulldogs: D Giansiracusa M Boyd B Johnson D Cross B Harris.
Umpires: C Donlon M Vozzo D Margetts.
Official crowd: 40,668 at Subiaco Oval.
West Coast's unbeaten start to 2007 has continued but not without a serious examination, with the reigning premiers eventually overcoming the Western Bulldogs 10.17 (77) to 9.8 (62).
In a contest that never had more than three goals in it, respective skippers Brad Johnson and Chris Judd both had great games, at times on each other, in the absorbing battle.
More surprising was the performance of Matt Priddis, whose three goals, 25 possessions and massive workrate made a huge statement the day after the man he replaced, Ben Cousins, made his.
While Daniel Giansiracusa comprehensively beat David Wirrpanda to match Priddis' goal tally, he did not have quite as many able allies to repeat last year's shock win in Perth.
As so often at Subiaco Oval this year, the Eagles blasted from the blocks, with frontline pressure securing three set shots from kickable positions within seven minutes of the first bounce.
However all three resulted in behinds and Johnson was all too willing to show the Eagles the error of their ways, soccering through his first to get their scoring underway.
Priddis, Quinten Lynch and Judd then kicked goals to give the Eagles the early lead, before Robert Murphy and Farren Ray pegged them back to within four points before the Eagles took a three-point lead into half-time.
After a notable first half, Priddis' second started spectacularly, claiming two goals in quick succession as the Eagles put their foot down.
But with Wirrpanda's miserable day continuing when Giansiracusa kicked his third, the last change margin of 12 looked good, but not quite good enough.
With extreme pressure exerted by both teams in the last quarter, space was at a premium until Jordan McMahon made his own with three bounces before kicking truly to again set up a possible shock.
But with Darren Glass' outstanding season continuing, the Bulldogs could not find another goal as the Eagles held on.
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