Game Day - Bulldogs vs Power

[southerncross]

Re: Game Day - Bulldogs vs Power

This from the Hun. I thought we got a good run with the free kicks today.

Akermanis on fire for desperate Dogs
07 July 2007 Herald Sun
JASON Akermanis played his best game for the Western Bulldogs as they beat Port Adelaide by 20 points today in their match at Telstra Dome.

Akermanis kicked two crucial last-quarter goals to finish the game with three goals and 17 disposals as the Bulldogs scored a badly-needed win, 20.13 (133) to 17.11 (113).
But it may have come at a cost, with the Dogs losing veteran midfielder Scott West early in the second term with a groin injury.
It was easily Akermanis' most complete game since he joined the Bulldogs this year after his acrimonious split from Brisbane.
Bulldogs captain Brad Johnson kicked five goals and veteran backman Chris Grant was outstanding, while Port counterpart Warren Tredrea put through four goals and Power midfielder Domenic Cassisi had a game-high 38 disposals.
The Power had kicked three goals to reduce the margin to only three points when Akermanis goaled twice on the run in as many minutes to seal the match.
The Bulldogs looked to have the game well in hand when they kicked two goals within the opening three minutes of the last term for a 22-point lead.
But Warren Tredrea, well held for most of the game by Bulldogs key defender Brian Harris, kicked two goals in as many minutes to keep the match alive.
Tredrea kicked another goal in the last quarter as the Power kept pace with the Bulldogs and then made their late charge to trail by less than a goal at 24 minutes.
Port had led by five points at quarter-time and the Power had the Bulldogs in some trouble when it went into the break with a nine-point break.
But Johnson kicked two goals at the start of the third term, sparking a surge where his team scored four goals to one.
The Bulldogs led by 10 points at three-quarter time, with Power midfielder Shaun Burgoyne snapping a great goal just before the siren to keep the game tight.
Port was cruelled by the free-kick count, 27-13 in the Bulldogs' favour.

[southerncross]

Re: Game Day - Bulldogs vs Power

This from the Age

Time helps Akermanis find his form

July 7, 2007 - 8:31PM

Unless you're an opposition fan, there are few more appealing sights in the AFL than a booming Jason Akermanis goal kicked on the run.
For the Port Adelaide cheer squad sitting at the Coventry end of Telstra Dome, it must have been truly horrific.
Akermanis kicked the ball over their heads twice in as many minutes to seal the 20-point win.
Port had kicked three goals late in the game to reduce the margin to just three points.
But the Bulldogs won the next two centre bounces and Akermanis skilfully worked his way into space on the half-forward flank.
He took handballs from Shaun Higgins to kick two almost-identical goals from about 40m out.
"The best work is teamwork, but I got into some good spots today and sometimes you get used, sometimes you don't," Akermanis said.
"In the end it was just a case of simple footy - get it forward.
"Higgo (had) terrific vision twice, handballed it and said 'have a shot'.
"I was quite tired at the end of the game, but it's always good when they go in - I haven't had my kicking shoes on for a few weeks and it's good to nail a couple close together."
The goals were also twin exclamation marks to an important game for Akermanis, easily his most complete since joining the Bulldogs.
He moved to the club this year after his much-publicised and ugly split with Brisbane, where Akermanis played in three premierships and won a Brownlow Medal.
While good in patches this year, Akermanis had come under plenty of attention for not showing the same form that made him a Lions star.
Akermanis had injury problems earlier this season and always felt he would be better in the second half of the year as he adapted to Melbourne life.
Simple factors such as a new pair of football boots and moving house have helped.
He wore the boots for the first time in last week's loss to the Kangaroos and could feel they were starting to fit his feet better towards the end of the game.
Akermanis added the house move was saving him 40 minutes in travel time to the club.
"I'm training really hard, I just had to do the miles in the first half (of the season)," he said.
"It just takes time and unfortunately people don't understand that.
"But that's okay, I will take the bagging. I knew, if it was going to turn, it was going to be better in the second half."
Akermanis had 17 touches and kicked three goals in Saturday's win.
Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said Akermanis had been a victim of his own lofty standards at times this season, while Port coach Mark Williams praised the veteran for his late goals.
"It showed the class, they've spent some money to get him here and he's earning his way," Williams said.
"I'm sure they're pretty pleased.
"That's the opportunist forward and smart player that he is."

[Bulldog Revolution]

Re: Game Day - Bulldogs vs Power

This from the Age

Time helps Akermanis find his form
"The best work is teamwork, but I got into some good spots today and sometimes you get used, sometimes you don't," Akermanis said.
"In the end it was just a case of simple footy - get it forward.
"Higgo (had) terrific vision twice, handballed it and said 'have a shot'.
"I was quite tired at the end of the game, but it's always good when they go in - I haven't had my kicking shoes on for a few weeks and it's good to nail a couple close together."
The goals were also twin exclamation marks to an important game for Akermanis, easily his most complete since joining the Bulldogs.

"I'm training really hard, I just had to do the miles in the first half (of the season)," he said.
"It just takes time and unfortunately people don't understand that.
"But that's okay, I will take the bagging. I knew, if it was going to turn, it was going to be better in the second half."
Akermanis had 17 touches and kicked three goals in Saturday's win.

Great signs with the Aker walking the walk, and starting to talk the talk again - I love it after games when he has been good that he shares the joy with a teammate and praises Higgins vision. There was a classic game when he played for the Lions where he praised Leigh for moving him forward, and throwing him where the action was to let him win them a game. I've watched the two in warmups and I have no doubt that Higgins is learning from playing with a guy like Aker

[southerncross]

Re: Game Day - Bulldogs vs Power

I cant believe that no one mentioned Hahn looking like he was going to kick to the wrong direction in the first minute of the last quarter. Did anyone else notice it?

[Bornadog]

Re: Game Day - Bulldogs vs Power

I cant believe that no one mentioned Hahn looking like he was going to kick to the wrong direction in the first minute of the last quarter. Did anyone else notice it?

Yes saw that on the replay