Western Bulldogs vs West Coast Eagles: AFL live scores, blog
Roar Guru By The Cattery, 1 Apr 2012 The Cattery is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- AFL, live blog, West Coast Eagles, Western Bulldogs
128 Have your say
4,394 reads
Jack Darling chases the ball for West Coast (Slattery Images)
Live Scores
Scores updated each minute. REFRESH NOW
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Western Bulldogs host the West Coast Eagles as we enter the home stretch of what must be the longest opening round in Australian sporting history. Join us at 1.10pm AEST for live scores and minute-by-minute commentary.
The Bulldogs employed new coach Brendan McCartney at the start of the season and his focus early on will be to improve their stats in relation to contested footy: to use his words, he wants the Bulldogs to get “nasty”.
They come up against a team that finished top four last season and who was only a whisker away from a grand final berth.
Last year John Worsfold was able to resurrect the Eagle’s tight game plan, conceding the fewest inside 50s of any team.
After three consecutive preliminary finals, the Bulldogs were the big slider last season and there is not a lot of evidence that they will be making up that ground in a hurry.
They are stuck in a bit of a ‘no man’s land’: the premiership window is well and truly shut for the moment but they are yet to undertake a major overhaul of their list.
From last season the Bulldogs have lost two big men in Ben Hudson and Barry Hall, and also lost tough nut Callan Ward to GWS.
The return from injury of Brian Lake and Adam Cooney partially offsets those losses, while the Bulldogs will also be hoping for ongoing improvement from second year father-son selections Tom Liberatore and Mitch Wallis.
New draftee, Clay Smith, debuts tonight in the midfield and the Bulldogs will be hoping that he can replicate Ward’s attack on the footy at an early age.
While the Bulldogs will have Jordan Roughead and Will Minson swapping between ruck and the forward line, the Eagles will have the best duo in the business: Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui.
It’s a huge mismatch. Expect the likes of Daniel Kerr, Matt Rosa and Andrew Embley to feast off their ruckwork and ability to bring the ball to ground to the advantage of the Eagles’ crumbers.
Creative forward, Mark Le Cras, who is out for the season, will be missed, but the Eagles have plenty of potential goal kickers in Andrew Gaff, Jack Darling, Luke Shuey and Quinten Lynch.
The Eagles look good enough to overcome the Bulldogs’ home ground advantage and the enthusiasm they will carry into their first game for their new coach, but it’s the Eagles by 15 points.
Will Brendan McCartney’s reign get underway with a win? Find out this afternoon as we cover all of the action coming out of Etihad Stadium with live scores and commentary from the first bounce at 1.10pm AEDT.
Live Score Updates
Scores updated each minute. REFRESH NOW
| Events | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Looking to join The Roar team? We're searching for an experienced Group Sales Manager to lead our team in Sydney. Yes, this does mean you get to work with the site all day long! If you're a digital media sales star, we want to hear from you. Apply now.
Passionate about your AFL? Then sign up to The Roar's brand new daily AFL email, delivering Roaring articles directly to you day-in, day-out. You'll love it!
Click here to join now!
The Crowd Says (128) | Page 1 of Comments
The Roar Live Blog: Latest comments displayed at the top of the page | Click here to jump to leave a comment
Have Your Say
- Explore:
- AFL, live blog, West Coast Eagles, Western Bulldogs
12:37pm
The Cattery said | 12:37pm | Report comment
Not much joy for the dogs yesterday, could only stay with the Eagles for about 75 minutes and then were absolutely blown away.
One positive was the debut of 18 year old Clay Smith, from Gippsland (an old recruiting zone of Footscray, where they found blokes like Kelvin Templeton, Bernie Quinlan and Brian Royal). On draft night they described Smith as a tough nut, and his nick name is “Cement” which is a beauty.
During the live call, I love this goal he kicked, his 4th, that had the dogs within 5 pts of the Eagles before they went on to score the next seven goals:
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/132009/default.aspx
I think it’s Glass chasing down Smith, he absolutely buries him from behind, sort of does a bit of a roll while Glass is still hanging on to him, bounces straight up and keeps running, hardly losing any momentum, and just gets his foot to the ball to dribble it over the line from about 20 metres out. Persistence, determination, grit, never-say-die, the rest of the dogs could learn a thing or too off this 18 year old kid.
NicNat is watching the ball, hardly sweating it, thinking it’s not going to make it, and then: oh hell – it’s going to make it!
12:42pm
Nathan of Perth said | 12:42pm | Report comment
A) Very impressive to bounce back after getting Glassed.
B) Was very irked at Nic Nat when that happen, gave the TV a spray at the time.
12:53pm
The Cattery said | 12:53pm | Report comment
NicNat can only raise a gallop when he is about to do something to add to his highlights reel!
But chasing down a dribbling ball a couple of metres in front of him – naah!
10:15pm
Enron said | 10:15pm | Report comment
Wow, what a result, Doggies were hard as nails for 2 and a bit quarters… then the relentless pressure of the WCE just began to take its toll… Forward line of Kennedy, Darling, Lynch and either Cox or Nicnat is going to cause opposition teams a lot of headaches… the new guy Hill looks like he fit like an old glove..and my tip for “rookie of the year” Ashton Hams created all sorts of problems as well… most defenses are going to struggle against that line up…
WCE midfield.. solid without being spectacular.. which is strange, usually WCE have a blue chip midfield.. average forward line and great defense… but Priddis and Rosa got plenty of the ball… actually, Rosa looks like he finally “gets it”.. his disposal today was really good…. the little champ Shuey began to work his way into the game… if you tag Kerr.. it leaves Shuey free… not a bad set of guys in the middle…Embly played a nice cameo at the end.. what about playing Kerr as the sub?? bring him on in the second half when the opposition taggers are already tired??? Nearly forgot to mention Scott Selwood.. this kid showed another side today.. ran free, got plenty of the ball, did some really nice stuff in close.. has a touch of class about him.. he is no longer just a tagger, and just quietly, might be the most talented out of all the Selwood brothers.. big call I know.. but watch out for him in the coming months.
And the menswear department, backline… After Scarlett, Glass must be the best bookend in the comp.. add Shanon Hurn… Burly Bash man Beau Waters… and the improving Mackenzie and Schfield.. Other Selwood playing well down back as well…this back 6 is probably as good as any in the comp.. seriously.. your not going to get too many easy goals against WCE this year…
Add all that together… well.. a pretty big sized… tough outfit.. not saying they have the X factor of the Hawks.. (Rioli and Franklin) or the speed of the Crows (they look quick to me) but they are somewhere between the Cats and the Pies… play nice hard disciplined footy.. and they are going to be at it for the full 100 mins…
Only weakness they have is a lack of midfield leg speed.. no Judd type player who can bust open the pack.. race into the open , draw a couple of defenders and lay it off… but if thats their only weakness.. well most coaches would probably take that…
Hams and Hill…. could be hearing a lot about those 2 guys this year… Butler.. didnt make the side.. and he is a very good player.. depth at the Eagles might be better than people think…
AS for the Dogs.. brave, courageous.. but superlatives don’t win you games of football… pretty good midfield, shared the honours with the WCE midfield methinks… defense looks a bit wobbly.. dont have enough big guys go go around.. Lake seems to have the occasional brain snap which limits his effectiveness.. forward line… oooh… hate to say it… not really a threat… None of their forwards really made the WCE defense nervous.. Dogs will really struggle.. I think they will be lucky to finish above 12th…
Only sour note for the weekend was Fremantle’s stunning win over the Cats… those purple coated people eaters might surprise a few pundits this year as well… at their best, they are irresistible.. at their worse.. lamentable.. Ross Lyon has them doing a bit more of the former…
.. no prizes for guessing Im a mad keen WCE fan eh??
10:23pm
Enron said | 10:23pm | Report comment
ooH.. forgot to mention Gaff.. another “little champion” .. gets lots of the pill.. and his left footy is deadly… really like this guy as well.. he’s another “snuck under the radar” player at the Eagles..
3:55pm
The Cattery said | 3:55pm | Report comment
FT
WB 12.15 (87) WCE 21.10 (136)
For two and a half quarters it was a tight game, the Eagles always managed to keep a two goal bugger, but the dogs stayed in the contest with really good work from their little men, Clay Smith wiith 4 crumbing goals on debut.
In the air it was all Eagles, Kennedy with 7 goals, Cox with a few, Nic Nat won most of the tap outs.
Half way through the 3rd quarter, dogs were really pressing, winning the contested possession count, but missed four very gettable shots on goal, and then the Eagles finished the quarter with five straight goals, which was enough to snuff out the dogs, once they got that lead, dogs just didn’t have the commitment to stay with the Eagles.
For the Eagles, they were deadly in front of goal, and in the last 40 minutes of play kicked 11.3 and that included some good finishing.
In the end, Eagles with too much class around the ground, quality tall timber, quality finishing.
4:08pm
Nathan of Perth said | 4:08pm | Report comment
Great to see the young mildfield players, Shuey and Gaff, having such a great day at the office. “Nic Nat tap to Shuey, Shuey’s away!” will increasingly be a new catch phrase of the code!
Priddis solid as well, a bedrock of the team. Throughout the game the spread from the contest was crucial, Eagles were able to acquire space and make their way forward. Josh Hill very good day at the office, Kennedy probably would have had an even greater impact if he had gotten a couple pre-season games in, because I think he trailed off as the lack of match fitness kicked in. Great relief for Bulldogs given the damage he did anyway. The short kicking options had a bad run early on but cleaned up as play went on.
And mark my words, the Eagles can perform much stronger than this!
6:14pm
Bob said | 6:14pm | Report comment
What if Kennedy, Shuey, Lynch and Embley had all had proper pre-seasons.
As a dogs supporter though I’m very happy with the way Libba, Smith, Dalhaus and Tutt are a shaping after a handful of games. We just need some more big guys (Cordy, Talia and Tom Hill come to mind) and Griffen, Morris and Williams to get fit.
6:41pm
The Cattery said | 6:41pm | Report comment
Bob – frightening to think what Kennedy would hve done to the dogs with a proper pre-season! Smith, Libba and Dalhaus very good for dogs.
10:43pm
Nathan of Perth said | 10:43pm | Report comment
We know what Kennedy does to the Dogs when fully match fit! Double digit goal hauls!
3:51pm
The Cattery said | 3:51pm | Report comment
WB 12.15 WCE 21.10
1 min to go
finals minute of play, a few tired bodies out here, horrible pass from Wood, puts it way over Grant’s head,
3:49pm
The Cattery said | 3:49pm | Report comment
WB 12.15 WCE 21.10
2 min to go
Libba has to go off for blood rule, blood flowing from his mouth, no, it’s actually his nose, must have copped one at the bottom of the pack, as we count down now
3:47pm
The Cattery said | 3:47pm | Report comment
WB 12.15 WCE 21.10
2 min to go
ABout 25k in attendance today
3:46pm
The Cattery said | 3:46pm | Report comment
WB 12.15 WCE 21.10
2 min to go
Jones with a strong mark at the top of the goal square, chance for his first, has already missed 3, finally gets one, but far too late
3:45pm
The Cattery said | 3:45pm | Report comment
WB 11.15 WCE 21.10
3 min to go
Embley with clearance, Wood takes defensive mark, goes back to Markovic, Hargrave, plays on, Grant with good mark in front, plays on, one bounce, hugs the boundary
3:43pm
The Cattery said | 3:43pm | Report comment
WB 11.15 WCE 21.10
4 min to go
Embley loads up from 50m himself, gets it
3:42pm
The Cattery said | 3:42pm | Report comment
WB 11.15 WCE 20.9
4 min to go
this time Higgins is able to score the goal from 50m, but it’s too little too late
dogs’ first goal in an eternity
3:41pm
The Cattery said | 3:41pm | Report comment
WB 10.15 WCE 20.9
5 min to go
Minson takes ball in the clear, into fwd 50, but chased down and forced to hurry the kick, he was too slow!
3:39pm
The Cattery said | 3:39pm | Report comment
WB 10.14 WCE 20.9
7 min to go
Grant on lead, Minson gets him, Grant will line up from around 45m, misses, story of dogs day out
3:38pm
The Cattery said | 3:38pm | Report comment
WB 10.13 WCE 20.9
8 min to go
dangerous period here for the dogs, Eagles appear to be doing whatever they want now, dogs can’t keep up, getting beaten all over the field,
Minson with mark on wing, plays on, but it’s all Eagles, loose man, Waters, Lake holds it up now,
3:36pm
The Cattery said | 3:36pm | Report comment
WB 10.13 WCE 20.9
10 min to go
Dickson couldn’t hold onto the mark, Eagles sweep it away with numbers, Schofield, with four bounces, goes long from outside 50, Lake penalised for holding, and cops a 50 for giving lip, Lynch form the goal line, another goal from a free kick for the Eagles
3:34pm
The Cattery said | 3:34pm | Report comment
WB 10.13 WCE 19.9
10 min to go
Another big grab from Kennedy, right on 50, lining up his 7th, and that is a big, big kick! That’s been the difference today.
3:31pm
The Cattery said | 3:31pm | Report comment
WB 10.13 WCE 18.9
13 min to go
lead out to 44 points, crowd has been completely silenced, dogs have successfully joined that list of clubs that is nowhere near the top echelon of teams
3:34pm
Cameron said | 3:34pm | Report comment
You say the crowd is quiet, and i reckon they might struggle for a crowd the rest of the year too, esp the way they are playing
4:13pm
Nathan of Perth said | 4:13pm | Report comment
And the Eagles making a strong argument to say that Top 4 and certainly Top 8 last year was no fluke.
3:29pm
The Cattery said | 3:29pm | Report comment
WB 10.13 WCE 18.9
14 min to go
it’s now six unanswered goals to the Eagles to kill the contest, nothing dogs doing at the moment is coming off, Masten with big grab, big kick in, Markovic gives away the free on Kennedy, and he kicks his 6th
3:27pm
The Cattery said | 3:27pm | Report comment
WB 10.13 WCE 17.9
15 min to go
Dogs just can’t penetrate here, EAgles holding firm, Dogs come again through middle, but again Eagles clear, Cox marks, runs into 50, nails the goal, made it look so easy, dogs just haven’t had that strength up forward today
3:26pm
The Cattery said | 3:26pm | Report comment
WB 10.13 WCE 16.9
16 min to go
Boyd through the middle, big leap from NicNat again, but man in front paid the mark, out for throw in outer HFF for dogs who desperately need the next goal
3:24pm
The Cattery said | 3:24pm | Report comment
WB 10.13 WCE 16.9
17 min to go
Shuey wrapped up, Libbe wins the free, looks for Minson, can’t hold it, Embley just on, give and go, turnover
3:23pm
The Cattery said | 3:23pm | Report comment
WB 10.13 WCE 16.9
18 min to go
Dahlhaus almost runs down Darling, causes turnover, and Dahlhaus almsot gets it back, Eagles defence standing tall here, hard to see dogs getting the 4 or 5 unanswered goals to get back into this game
3:22pm
The Cattery said | 3:22pm | Report comment
WB 10.11 WCE 16.9
shot was coming in, Grant had chance to mark it, but thought it was going through, and it missed, some poor decisions in forward line have cost the dogs
3:16pm
The Cattery said | 3:16pm | Report comment
3/4 time
WB 10.11 (71) WCE 16.9 (105)
Eagles flexed their muscle then, but strangely, early on it was the dogs looking like they were going to overun the agles, winning the contested possessions and centre square clearances.
Unfortunately for the dogs, Jones missed 3 gettable shots, Higgins couldn’t do anything wiht the ball on 50m, and from that point, Eagles went bang, bang five times, contest over.
3:20pm
TW said | 3:20pm | Report comment
Surprised the Doggies dropped off – Missing goals does not help.
As they say the Eagles talls aint going to get shorter in the last quarter.
3:14pm
The Cattery said | 3:14pm | Report comment
WB 10.11 WCE 16.9
1 min to go
good fwd line pressure from dogs little men, lock it in, throw in on near side, dogs HFF, Shuey gets the clearance, hugs boundary, Selwood on wing, goes back to Cox, they’ll wind down the clock from here, they’ve got a 6 goal break, so no point giving the ball away at this stage
3:12pm
The Cattery said | 3:12pm | Report comment
WB 10.11 WCE 16.9
2 min to go
Dahlhaus can’t get it to Gia, back to Cooney, goes backwards to Wallis, but he’s miles out, and Selwood basically takes an uncontested def mark
3:11pm
The Cattery said | 3:11pm | Report comment
WB 10.11 WCE 16.9
2 min to go
Eagles with five unanswered goals now, up the other end, Jones missed 3 gettable shots – that definitely hurt the dogs
3:10pm
The Cattery said | 3:10pm | Report comment
WB 10.11 WCE 16.9
3 min to go
Clay Smith has been subbed, Grant on , he’s a forward and the dogs need goals, although Smith had kicked 4 already on debut
in meantime Hill takes a big grab, flying high over the pack, 4 deep, gets his 3rd
3:08pm
The Cattery said | 3:08pm | Report comment
WB 10.11 WCE 15.9
4 min to go
Eagles forced back, long kick in, big pack, falls to Masten, snaps, goals – and it’s starting to look too hard for the dogs now
3:07pm
The Cattery said | 3:07pm | Report comment
WB 10.11 WCE 14.9
6 min to go
quick hands alllow dogs to get clearance, into attack, outer HFF for dogs, they need a goal soon, Dahlhaus, puts into attack, Jones goes backwards to Hargrave, he’s just outside 50m, handballs to Murphy, to top of square, big pack, but Eagles clear through Gaff, Dogs with wall down the middle, and it’s Dickson with the mark! he too is on debut, mature age player, he’ll shoot from around 25m, bit of an angle though, pushes it wide, dogs have really messed up some chances this quarter
3:04pm
The Cattery said | 3:04pm | Report comment
WB 10.10 WCE 14.9
6 min to go
Lake didn’t like NicNat making a fool of him, so he’s giving him the push and shove behind play
Gia puts it out on the full, and all of a sudden, dogs are looking down the barrell
3:03pm
The Cattery said | 3:03pm | Report comment
WB 10.10 WCE 14.9
7 min to go
Schofield doing the hard work in defence now, Rosa, hugs the outer side, Hams, to NicNat, spins, dummies the shot, and then runs into the open goal! all of a sudden, Eagles with a big break
4:15pm
Nathan of Perth said | 4:15pm | Report comment
Tremendous work from the big guy, ducked and weaved like Le Cras would have.
3:01pm
The Cattery said | 3:01pm | Report comment
WB 10.10 WCE 13.9
8 min to go
Now it’s Schofield with the footy, right on 50m – and he does what Higgins couldn’t do at the other end – it’s that sort of thing that is going to make the difference today
3:00pm
The Cattery said | 3:00pm | Report comment
WB 10.10 WCE 12.9
9 min to go
Howard with the ball on dogs HBF, keeping the ball now around the def 50m arck, to Minson in the middle, and he spots up Higgins right on the 50m arc, poor kick, not sure what he was doing then, put it straight down the throat of an Eagle, no team mate in sight
2:59pm
The Cattery said | 2:59pm | Report comment
WB 10.10 WCE 12.9
10 min to go
dogs have overtaken Eagles in contested possession, this is the key for them, that’s what has allowed them to hang on in the game, overcoming the huge aerial strength of the Eagles
Jones with another snap, and another miss!!
2:58pm
The Cattery said | 2:58pm | Report comment
WB 10.9 WCE 12.9
10 min to go
so every time Eagles have had to respond to the challenge they have done so, maintained a two goal lead for most of the game,
ball out on the outer wing, Howard collects, into fwd 50, Hurn clears, outer wing for throw in
2:56pm
The Cattery said | 2:56pm | Report comment
WB 10.9 WCE 12.9
11 min to go
one kick in it, been a terrific game so far, ball spills in tackle, Selwood spots up Darling at top of 50m, he’ll kick from right on the arc, needs a big kick – it is a big kick! very good goal!
2:55pm
The Cattery said | 2:55pm | Report comment
WB 10.9 WCE 11.9
12 min to go
Gaff goes long, and Darling floats across the pack for a very storng mark, acute angle, just misses
2:54pm
The Cattery said | 2:54pm | Report comment
WB 10.9 WCE 11.8
13 min to go
Glass absolutely buried Smith in the tackle, but he bounced straight up onto his feet, and got foot to ball, great stuff from the debutant
dogs back into attack, Jones onto loose ball, not a great shot, misses, but dogs getting plent of it at the moment
2:53pm
The Cattery said | 2:53pm | Report comment
WB 10.8 WCE 11.8
14 min to go
Eagles get it back from kick out, Hurn hard up on boundary, Rosa, long kick in, HIggins back with flight of ball, Markovic breaks clear, Dahlhaus beats two, goes long, Smith tackled, bounces up, off the deck, rolling, rolling, rolling, bounces through for his 4th goal!!
2:51pm
The Cattery said | 2:51pm | Report comment
WB 9.8 WCE 11.8
14 min to go
bad option from dogs here, put Cross under pressure, intercept, long kick forward, rushed behind for Eagles
2:50pm
The Cattery said | 2:50pm | Report comment
WB 9.8 WCE 11.7
15 min to go
Eagles have sort of switched off a bit, dogs winning a few stoppages now, but it’s Eagles with clearance from restart, with Lynch, about 60m out, looks for Kennedy, falls to Hams, snaps, goals
2:49pm
The Cattery said | 2:49pm | Report comment
WB 9.8 WCE 10.7
15 min to go
flirting with danger here with kick in, goes out for throw in, Dahlhaus with outside of foot from boundary, out for throw in,
Dahlhaus again off hands, runs into open goal!
2:47pm
The Cattery said | 2:47pm | Report comment
WB 8.8 WCE 10.7
16 min to go
Eagles went coast to coast and Lynch scored a behind with the big roost from 50
and now dogs have gone coast to coast, Jones with mark at around 40m lining up for his first, sprays it
2:46pm
The Cattery said | 2:46pm | Report comment
WB 8.7 WCE 10.6
17 min to go
another ball up, still on 50m line for dogs, Higgins, spins around onto left, only just misses, he has started well this quarter
you won’t believe this, Schofield played on with little kick, but missed it and it rolled over for a behind!!
2:45pm
The Cattery said | 2:45pm | Report comment
WB 8.5 WCE 10.6
18 min to go
bad turnover for dogs just when they were looking good, strong tackle for dogs in def 50, Jones, Hargrave, Dickson, deep into near HFF, throw in virtually on 50m line, bottled up for ball up
2:43pm
The Cattery said | 2:43pm | Report comment
WB 8.5 WCE 10.6
So almost ready for the restart, Eagles a tick over 2 goals in front
Cooney with clearance, but Hurn with def mark
2:41pm
The Cattery said | 2:41pm | Report comment
Kennedy has had a disrupted pre-season, playing first game, can he keep this up in the second half?
2:40pm
The Cattery said | 2:40pm | Report comment
Players out on the ground for second half
2:39pm
The Cattery said | 2:39pm | Report comment
goals for dogs:
Goal Scorers: Smith 3, Cooney 1, Giansiracusa, Dahlhaus, Higgins, Picken
2:39pm
The Cattery said | 2:39pm | Report comment
disposals for dogs:
Disposals: Boyd 20 (10,10), Cross 15 (3,12), Liberatore 14 (4,10), Hargrave 12 (5,7), Cooney 11 (7,4), Giansiracusa 11 (8,3)
2:38pm
The Cattery said | 2:38pm | Report comment
In the VFL Sandringham leads Nth Ballarat at half time 6.5 to 2.1
2:36pm
The Cattery said | 2:36pm | Report comment
Eagles lead dogs 12-5 in centre square clearances, and NicNat is an important part of that, dogs don’t have the personnel to combat him.
2:33pm
The Cattery said | 2:33pm | Report comment
Bulldogs coaching staff will be happy with effort from dogs so far, never dropped their heads whenever Eagles got out with a 3 goal lead.
Eagles fans will be rapt with Kennedy, came into game underdone, five first half goals, causing plenty of headaches, looks dangerous everytime the ball gets down there
2:32pm
The Cattery said | 2:32pm | Report comment
#AFLDreamTeam leaders: Eagles – Kennedy 69, Rosa 52, Cox 50, Gaff 44; Dogs – Smith 62, Boyd 60, Giansiracusa 58 #AFLDogsEagles
2:27pm
The Cattery said | 2:27pm | Report comment
Clay Smith with 3 goals on debut, all that quarter, they said he was a tough nut, they gave him Callan Ward’ number, and he hasn’t disappointed so far.
2:29pm
The Cattery said | 2:29pm | Report comment
Clay Smith a good chance for Rising star nomination.
2:24pm
The Cattery said | 2:24pm | Report comment
WB 8.5 (53) WCE 10.6 (66)
An even quarter in an entertaining game. Eagles are ruling the air, leading in contested marks, Kennedy with five goals, but the dogs have been able to stay in it with plenty of pressure at ground level: Dahlhaus, Libba, Boyd, Picken, and Clay Smith chipped in with 3 crumbing goals that quarter, Picken got another.
Dogs are giving away too many frees in def 50, they need to eliminate that if they are to stick with the Eagles, but the little man work at ground level has been terrific – two contrasting styles means a great game so far!
2:31pm
TW said | 2:31pm | Report comment
The Eagles will miss Le Cras and Nickoksi big time as the season wears on = At least 40 potential goals missing based on 2011.
This game could go either way. Wait until the final quarter as the game opens up and we will see who is the fittest.
2:35pm
The Cattery said | 2:35pm | Report comment
Yes, big losses, as for this game, keep the ball up in the air, get foward quickly, Eagles will win.
2:21pm
The Cattery said | 2:21pm | Report comment
WB 8.5 WCE 10.5
1 min to go
NicNat with the massive leap on 50m, got hands to it, but couldn’t bring it down with him, would have been another addition to his highlights reel, already quite extensive
out on full, Eagles with free kcik on boudary, long, NicNat again with the leap! this time in goal square, but couldn’t bring it down again
and this time it’s Lake with the Leap, ball nowhere near him, free to Josh HIll, and he won’t kick and easier one than that!
a brain explosion from Lake!
You don’t go for mark of the year as a full back at the top of the goal square!
2:18pm
The Cattery said | 2:18pm | Report comment
WB 8.5 WCE 9.5
2 min to go
back to under a goal, and no, Roughead with the high tackle, again a sloppy tackle from dogs will give the Eagles a shot at goal, it’s Shuey, from 35m, hooks it slightly, exactly one goal the difference
2:17pm
The Cattery said | 2:17pm | Report comment
WB 8.5 WCE 9.4
3 min to go
The long kick from Dahlaus kicked to Minson’s advantage, he couldn’t hold it, but he brought it down, and Picken ran in at pace, collected cleanly and in a good position to snap, and didn’t miss, a rare goal for the tagger, but good fwd 50 entry and hard running earned the goal
2:15pm
The Cattery said | 2:15pm | Report comment
WB 8.5 WCE 9.4
4 min to go
Markovic with a rare mark, it’s been a tough day at the office for him so far, turnover, Rosa goes for Kennedy, dogs clear through Boyd, dogs crumbers win it, Dahlhaus, goes for Minson, Picken roves it, snaps, goals!!
2:14pm
The Cattery said | 2:14pm | Report comment
WB 7.5 WCE 9.4
5 min to go
crowd has built up nicely now, must be close to 30k
Kennedy earns the free for holding, so from 45m, 45 degree angle, he’ll line up his 6th goal, his toughest kick het, across the face,
2:12pm
The Cattery said | 2:12pm | Report comment
WB 7.5 WCE 9.3
6 min to go
Eagles work it out of defence, turnover, Murphy in space in middle, goes long to Minson, has to beat two, Mackenzie clears, Picken marks on outer wing, nearly gets the 50, Libba, free, advantage, and Clay Smith runs into the open goal for his third!! what a debut!!
2:11pm
The Cattery said | 2:11pm | Report comment
WB 6.5 WCE 9.3
8 min to go
Eagles lead contested marks 9 to 3, they are ruling the air at the moment, dogs are trying to even it up at ground level
Jones just took a storng mark then for the dogs, outside 50, puts it deep into the pocket, and Gia wins a free, it was for high, acute angles, tight against the boundary, just misses
2:09pm
The Cattery said | 2:09pm | Report comment
WB 6.4 WCE 9.3
9 min to go
HIggins with it on near wing, spots up Minson, dogs want a 50m penalty, Minson goes long, and NicNat takes the easiest of marks, gave his team mates no hope
2:08pm
The Cattery said | 2:08pm | Report comment
WB 6.4 WCE 9.3
10 min to go
all of a sudden, eagles out to a 3 goal lead, and now Nic Nat with free from centre square,
dogs get clearance from stoppage with quick hands, but it’s bottled up, Smith was sandwiched then, and he did not flinch!
2:06pm
The Cattery said | 2:06pm | Report comment
WB 6.4 WCE 9.3
11 min to go
Priddis leading the contested footy count, involved in setting up last goal, Boyd and LIbba doing well for dogs on that count, Kerr with clearance, Shuey , Gaff, long snap – Josh Hill takes the big mark on edge of goal square! should be an easy goal, and it is, against his old club!
2:04pm
The Cattery said | 2:04pm | Report comment
WB 6.4 WCE 8.3
12 min to go
Dogs deep in attack, good fwd line pressure from dogs to lock it in, ball up on near fwd pocket, about 30m round from dogs goal, Priddis with clearance, and Kennedy on lead and takes it on wing, opens up here, Gaff on the fat side, easy mark, he’ll shoot from about 35m, it’s through, lead back out to 2 goals
2:02pm
The Cattery said | 2:02pm | Report comment
WB 6.4 WCE 7.3
13 min to go
Kennedy now has five goals from five kicks
dogs out of trouble with quick handballs, Cross caught! Eagles go long, NIc Nat lets it go over, but Markovic there to rush it
2:01pm
The Cattery said | 2:01pm | Report comment
WB 6.4 WCE 7.2
14 min to go
Clay Smith wins the free with strong tackle, he’s in everything at the moment!
Masten spots up Kennedy on lead, gets him, he’ll shoot from about 30m dead in front, for number five, straight through
1:59pm
The Cattery said | 1:59pm | Report comment
WB 6.4 WCE 6.2
15 min to go
dogs little men all getting involved, winning the footy, Dahlaus runs to 50, but misses this time, but he showed some toe!
1:58pm
The Cattery said | 1:58pm | Report comment
WB 6.3 WCE 6.2
16 min to go
Smith actually missed the mark, but he pounced on the ball, put his head over it, spun out of the oncoming defender and snapped in traffic, terrific goal for the youngster
in meantime EAgles into attack, ball up insdie Eagles fwd 50, cleared to outer wing, dogs have lifted, matching the Eagles at the contests, but Nic Nat still giving Eagles first use from stoppages
1:56pm
The Cattery said | 1:56pm | Report comment
WB 6.3 WCE 6.2
17 min to go
Smith got the reward for hard running then, Jones didn’t get to the pass, Smith on spot to collect and run in for shot
Dogs with clearance, Dickson, Minson, Wallis, to Smith, spins, snaps – GOALS!!! two for Clay Smith inside 60 sec!
1:54pm
The Cattery said | 1:54pm | Report comment
WB 5.3 WCE 6.2
17 min to go
this time Markovic gets a good fist on pass to Kennedy, McCartney showing faith in Markovic, Dahlhaus uses pace to get out of trouble, to Clay Smith, runs to 50, flying shot – goal on debut!!
1:53pm
The Cattery said | 1:53pm | Report comment
WB 4.3 WCE 6.2
18 min to go
Rosa, puts Eagles back into attack, still hugging the outer wing, dogs clear, Dahlhaus, Higgins, tries to spot up Jones, he can’t hold, plenty of pressure
1:52pm
The Cattery said | 1:52pm | Report comment
WB 4.3 WCE 6.2
18 min to go
dogs struggling to clear from def 50m, strong tackle on Gaff, ball out for throw in, outer wing, Cooney catches Masten, ball up,
1:51pm
The Cattery said | 1:51pm | Report comment
WB 4.3 WCE 6.2
siren goes for start of second quarter, NicNat back in the middle, up against Minson again, again it’s NicNat, and again it’s Eagles with the clearance
1:47pm
The Cattery said | 1:47pm | Report comment
QT
WB 4.3 WCE 6.2
Eagles made a statement from opening bounce with NicNat winning the ruck, and the resulting clearance put straight down Kennedy’s throat, goal within 30 seconds of ball up, and the two protaganists marked themselves out as the danger men, and they remained that for the rest of the quarter.
Dogs had to work back from a 2 goal deficit and actually got back in front when the squared the ledger with contested footy, and two small forward combined for goals, Higgins and Dahlhaus.
But NicNat and Kennedy got involved immediately, Kennedy got his 4th for the quarter, and clearly dogs cannot afford to leave Markovic on Kennedy one on one – he will win this game single handedly the way it’s going.
1:43pm
The Cattery said | 1:43pm | Report comment
WB 4.3 WCE 6.2
1 min to go
Eagles now looking to settle it, having earned a 2 goal lead coming into quarter time, slowing it down, spotting up players on near HBF, down the line, Markovic gets wrapped up just inside 50, ball up with Eagles in attack
1:41pm
The Cattery said | 1:41pm | Report comment
WB 4.3 WCE 6.1
2 min to go
NicNat wiht another tap out, Eagles straight into attack, and Kennedy again with the diving mark! barely 15m out, goals!
1:42pm
The Cattery said | 1:42pm | Report comment
so just when dogs had hit the lead for first time, Eagles with two quick goals, and Kennedy gets his 4th, Markovic can’t beat him one on one at the moment
1:40pm
The Cattery said | 1:40pm | Report comment
WB 4.3 WCE 5.1
3 min to go
Hargreaves gives away a silly free inside the 50, Hams gets it from close in, dogs didn’t need that
1:39pm
The Cattery said | 1:39pm | Report comment
WB 4.3 WCE 4.1
3 min to go
twice now in last 5 min, dogs have saved the goal at one end and scored directly from that
Minson gets the clearance, Shuey clears along the wing, Lynch tries to spot up Kennedy, and Wood runs across him to stop the mark – courage!!
1:37pm
The Cattery said | 1:37pm | Report comment
WB 4.3 WCE 4.1
3 min to go
Dahlhaus with mark, right on 50m, winds up, it’s on his range – it has the legs! dogs in front!
1:36pm
The Cattery said | 1:36pm | Report comment
WB 3.3 WCE 4.1
4 min to go
dogs ahve been able to evne up the contested footy, 30 to 34, after Eagles got the early jump
smother saves the certain goal, in the goal square, it was Addison – wonderful defence!
1:35pm
The Cattery said | 1:35pm | Report comment
WB 3.3 WCE 4.1
5 min to go
Schofield with strong defensive mark, 3rd man up, JOnes always has the extra defender to beat, but dogs clear with quick hands, to top of 50, Dahlhaus tries to chase down Mackenzie, but he gets away,
1:34pm
The Cattery said | 1:34pm | Report comment
WB 3.3 WCE 4.1
6 min to go
Massive spoil on Kennedy, Lake came in 3 deep, fisted it 25m forward, turned defence into attack, dogs crowd coming alive now, dogs back into the contest
1:32pm
The Cattery said | 1:32pm | Report comment
WB 3.3 WCE 4.1
7 min to go
kick in to Selwood, outer HBF, goes along the line to wing, another free to eagles, dogs are working overtime trying to keep the Eagles talls in check, dogs break free from stoppage,to 50, Dahlhaus, runs, handballs to Higgins – goals!! exciting play!!
1:33pm
The Cattery said | 1:33pm | Report comment
The excitement machine Dahlhaus, swooped onto it, ran his full measure, avoided the tackle and just had to get to Higgins who was never going to miss from 40m
1:31pm
The Cattery said | 1:31pm | Report comment
WB 2.3 WCE 4.1
8 min to go
Cooney and Lake combine to clear the ball out of danger, Jones onto loose ball, and spots up Gia, he’ll line up from about 40m, bit of an angle, just across the face
1:29pm
The Cattery said | 1:29pm | Report comment
WB 2.2 WCE 4.1
8 min to go
in the air, on the ground, it’s Kennedy leading the dogs a merry dance at the moment;
Boyd takes matters into his hand, and earns the clearance from the centre bounce, throw in, and NicNat again with the tap to advantage, he’s winning everything
1:28pm
The Cattery said | 1:28pm | Report comment
WB 2.2 WCE 4.1
9 min to go
so dogs keep it close, just when eagles were threatening to break free, it’s eagles into attack, Kennedy up against 3 bulldog defenders, and he wins the free!!
acute angle, about 25m out – he nails it again!! Kennedy with 3 and his THE player for the Eagles at the moment!
1:27pm
The Cattery said | 1:27pm | Report comment
WB 2.2 WCE 3.1
10 min to go
throw in, outer HFF for dogs, Cooney off the throw in, one bounce, runs to 50, goals!! that was bread and butter for Cooney!!
1:26pm
The Cattery said | 1:26pm | Report comment
WB 1.2 WCE 3.1
11 min to go
so Cox and Kennedy combining for Eagles’ 3rd goal, two danger men for dogs, and again NicNat wins tap out from restaart, ball now on Eagles fwd 50 line, dangerous spot, NIc Nat gets a scrubbing left foot kick out of the traffic, dogs clear to outer wing
1:24pm
The Cattery said | 1:24pm | Report comment
WB 1.2 WCE 3.1
12 min to go
another ball up, eagles fwd 50, free to Cox, has been dangerous already, gives it off, long kick forward, Kennedy comes in 4th man, takes it deep in pocket, runs around, nails it!!
1:23pm
The Cattery said | 1:23pm | Report comment
WB 1.2 WCE 2.1
13 min to go
so as I said earlier, dogs have made the last few minutes a contest, back in the game, tough tackling pressure by Eagles in their forward line, right on 50, ball up
1:22pm
The Cattery said | 1:22pm | Report comment
WB 1.1 WCE 2.1
14 min to go
actually, my mistake, wasn’t a behind, throw in, and Eagles already back into attack, Cross cuts off the pass into 50, dogs clear though the near wing, Jones with a strong pass, he puts it to advantage of Gia, in front, takes the mark in front of his opponent, this should be bread and butter for a player of Gia’s quality, bit of an angle, aobut 20m, just squeezed it in!
1:20pm
The Cattery said | 1:20pm | Report comment
WB 0.2 WCE 2.1
14 min to go
that was the dogs’ first score, but at least they’re on the board, and have succeeded in slowing down the Eagles a bit, ball still just inside dogs fwd 50, outer HFF, ball up, Wallis collects, on his left, Gia can’t take it, rushed behind
1:19pm
The Cattery said | 1:19pm | Report comment
WB 0.1 WCE 2.1
15 min to go
Tory Dickson playing in first game, wrapped up, ball up outer side just outside of 50m, Higgins with it, shot across face, Gia collects, snaps, behind
1:17pm
The Cattery said | 1:17pm | Report comment
WB 0.0 WCE 2.1
16 min to go
Eagles already leading contested possessionby by 8 to 2.
this time dogs are able to stop eagles breaking free from ball up, re-bounce, but Eagles awy again, turnover, Wallis goes long, Higgins can’t crumb it, Eagles clear
1:16pm
The Cattery said | 1:16pm | Report comment
WB 0.0 WCE 2.1
17 min to go
Gia to Hargreaves, just outside 50, wheels around, dogs in for first inside 50, both sides can’t get clean possession on 50, Eagles first to break free, straight down the guts, open foward line, Cox catches markovic from behind – FREE!! from about 30m -Cox gets it!!
1:14pm
The Cattery said | 1:14pm | Report comment
WB 0.0 WCE 1.1
18 min to go
Gaff takes handball from stoppage, through the middle, to 50, misses with flying shot
1:14pm
The Cattery said | 1:14pm | Report comment
WB 0.0 WCE 1.0
19 min to go
Again NicNat out, Eagles with take away, libba gets first possesision for dogs! Dalhause couldn’t break free, ok, we have a contest now
1:12pm
The Cattery said | 1:12pm | Report comment
McCartney focusing more on the manner the game is played today, he’s trying to drive home a few key messages
NicNat lining up in the middle, siren, up against Minson, we’re off, easy tap out to NicNat, down to Selwood, immediate mark to KENNEDY!!!
it took less than 10 seconds!
Kennedy lining up from 35m, through, Eagles with first goal, barely 45 seconds in
1:10pm
The Cattery said | 1:10pm | Report comment
Darren Glass won the toss, Eagles kicking to left of screen
roof at Etihad is open
1:10pm
The Cattery said | 1:10pm | Report comment
So much responsibility rests with the dogs skipper, Matty Boyd, and the hope that Lake and Cooney can quickly come back to the standards they were setting 2 or 3 years ago
1:09pm
The Cattery said | 1:09pm | Report comment
Dean Cox looks like he’s ready to eat up a few pups
1:08pm
The Cattery said | 1:08pm | Report comment
Chris Grant presenting the match ball to the umps
national anthem for first game of the season
1:06pm
The Cattery said | 1:06pm | Report comment
About 5 minutes to go to first bounce
1:03pm
The Cattery said | 1:03pm | Report comment
Dogs won’t be looking forward to stoppages today
1:03pm
The Cattery said | 1:03pm | Report comment
Grant with the green jacket for the dogs
12:56pm
Cameron Rose said | 12:56pm | Report comment
The Eagles have the best press in the business, and we saw yesterday with Brisbane that you can be missing important forwards and still score heavily if you dominate the ball. Griffen is the Dogs best player by a country mile, and will be more missed than LeCras and Nicoski. Hams, Hill, Gaff and Masten will score goals, and there are still plenty of talls to dominate the Dogs defenders.
West Coast by 4-6 goals.
1:02pm
The Cattery said | 1:02pm | Report comment
Hill will have the fire in the belly coming up against his old club
12:53pm
The Cattery said | 12:53pm | Report comment
Griffen out for the dogs
12:46pm
The Cattery said | 12:46pm | Report comment
The Eagles have hopes of breaking into the top two this season. They’ve seen the standard set by the two favourites on Friday nigth, so they need to show something similar today and show that they can win games on the road.
The dogs? They just want to avoid joining an expanding list in the first round of teams that clearly are nowhere near it.