What a finish by the Bulldogs – they kicked 10 goals in the last quarter to come from the clouds and overrun the Gold Coast Suns.
The match started the other way round with the Suns kicking with a breeze and taking control to lead by 26 points at quarter time. They were shutting Easton Wood out of the game and Tom J Lynch was marking everything.
Substitutions were necessary early as Charlie Dixon left the ground with an ankle injury and Koby Stevens with damaged ribs.
>> MATCH REPORT: Ten-goal term sees Dogs overcome Suns
After half time the Suns looked to be runnign out of steam but the Bulldogs were failing to convert their forward entries. The last quarter was all the Bulldogs, charging forward and with an incredible finish.
A best on ground Liam Picken along with Jack Macrae and Marcus Bontempelli were the best ball winners whilst captain Bob Murphy was the architect of the comeback in the last quarter. The Suns best were Kolodjashnij, Ablett and the before-mentioned Lynch.
DOGS 14.11.95 def SUNS 11.7.73
The Western Bulldogs will be looking to consolidate a top eight position when they take on the Gold Coast Suns at Cairns’ Cazaly’s Stadium on Saturday. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:35pm AEST.
The Dogs have sold another home game to try and raise some much needed revenue, so we find them playing the Suns in Cairns. Last year they did the same and in Round 17 won by 28 points.
The Dogs are going well. Even their most ardent supporters would not have envisaged them having eight wins at this stage of the season. They are also talking finals at the kennel.
The players are starting to believe they can make it and a win here will keep the momentum flowing in the right direction.
They have produced exciting football to watch and in the last couple of games have added a defensive edge to shut down teams and now look to have a well balanced game plan.
Key to this game plan has been the two experienced players off half back in Robert Murphy and Matthew Boyd. They are racking up disposals and dictating the way the Dogs surge forward. Another key player who has been crucial is Luke Dahlhaus and the Suns will need to lock down on all three to have any chance in this game.
Incredibly the Dogs have flagged playing Dale Morris after he suffered a fractured jaw last week; apparently there is no further risk to the injury if he does play.
In other selection news, the Dogs have included promising youngsters Talia and Boyd but have lost Jordan Roughead to injury. The Suns regain Harbrow and Thompson whilst promising first year player Adam Saad has a groin injury.
The Suns have had the season from hell, but bounced back with a terrific win last week against North. Gary Ablett was back and suddenly they found their mojo. This week he is second up and may find it a bit harder to influence the game as much as when he was fresh.
To this end, more will be asked of Michael Rischitelli. He has been the Suns main contributor all year and will appreciate having some help from Ablett but still needs to lead the Suns midfield.
Prediction:
The Dogs to prove they are the real deal and to go on and win by 50 points.
Will the Dogs make Cairns a happy hunting ground again or will the Messiah Gary Ablett continue to resurrect the Suns year?
Join The Roar Saturday at 4:35pm for live score updates and debate in our live blog.
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
MATCH REVIEW DOGS 14.11.95 def SUNS 11.7.73 Major Goals DOGS Redpath3 Stringer , Talia, Dahlhaus, Bontempelli 2 SUNS Lynch, Matera, Hall 2 What a finish by the DOGS . They have kicked 10 goals in the last quarter to come from the clouds and over run the SUNS. The match started the other way round with the SUNS kicking with a breeze and taking control and lead by 26 points at quarter time.They were shutting Easton Wood out of the game and Lynch was marking everything. SUBS were necessary early as Charlie Dixon left the ground with an ankle injury and Koby Stevens with damaged ribs. After half time the SUNS looked to run out of steam but the DOGS were failing to convert their forward entries. The last quarter was all the DOGS charging forward and an incredible finish. Picken (BOG), Macrae and Bontempelli were the best ball winners whilst captain Bob Murphy was the architect of the comeback in the last quarter. The SUNS best were Kolodjashnij, Ablett and the before mentioned Lynch. This win keeps the DOGS finals hopes very much alive but they face a tough trip to Geelong next week. The SUNS disjointed season continues. You would think their fitness due to all the injuries they have had played a part today. They host the Giants next week and will look to beat the fellow new boys on the block. Overall incredible win by the DOGS after they looked disinterested in the first half but the comeback is testament to the new found running game that they have employed this year and they will cause more problems for the opposition in the run to September.
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
Goal DOGS Talia Talia completes the deal and the DOGS win by 22 DOGS ..14.11.95 SUNS.. 11.7.73
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL DOGS Dalhaus Another counterattack move and the DOGS are home. DOGS ..13.11.89 SUNS.. 11.7.73 Q4 2'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
Where did this come from . The Dogs have kicked 8 goals thsi quarter so far. DOGS ..12.11.83 SUNS.. 11.7.73 Q4 3'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL DOGS Bontempelli Bontempelli finishes another Murphy attack. He has been brilliant, the Captain. Dogs by 9. DOGS ..12.10.82 SUNS.. 11.7.73 Q4 7'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL DOGS Dickson Dickson puts the DOGS in front. They are running over the top of the SUNS. DOGS ..11.10.76 SUNS.. 11.7.73 Q4 8'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL DOGS Stringer Another great GOAL by Stringer . 3 points in it. DOGS ..10.10.70 SUNS.. 11.7.73 Q4 9′
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL DOGGIES Wallis Goal for Goal. Wallis converts a counter attack back to 9 points. DOGS ..9.10.64 SUNS.. 11.7.73 Q4 9'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL SUNS Hall.....GREAT KICK!! Hall curls one through back out to 15. DOGS ..8.10.58 SUNS.. 11.7.73 Q4 10'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL DOGS Redpath Here come the DOGS. Redpath is on the end of some run from Murphy and Wood. 9 points! DOGS ..8.10.58 SUNS.. 10.7.67 Q4 11'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL DOGS MacRae MAcRae has played well today and earns a high tackle and its back to 14 points. DOGS ..7.10.52 SUNS.. 10.6.66 Q4 12'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL DOGS Stringer Great goal keeps the Dogs interested. 20 points. DOGS ..6.10.46 SUNS.. 10.6.66 Q4 14'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL SUNS Malceski The Suns reply straight away. Malceski gets his first Suns goal. DOGS 5.10.40 SUNS.. 10.5.65 Q4 16'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL DOGS Bontempelli From a stoppage Bontempelli livens things up. 19 points. DOGS 5.10.40 SUNS.. 9.5.59 Q4 17'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
There is still time for the Dogs but doesn't look likely. DOGS 4.10.34 SUNS.. 9.5.59 Q4 18'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
3 Qtr Time Suns 9.5.59 lead Dogs 4.9.33 Major Goals;SUNS Lynch Matera 2 DOGS Redpath 2 The Suns kicked 3 early goals that qtr and then went to sleep but the Dogs couldn't capitalise kicking 1.6. Kolodjashnij has had 27 disposals. Lynch and Ablett still doing well. Picken, McRae and Boyd trying to get Dogs back into it. Hard to see the Suns losing as the Dogs have only kicked 4 goals to 3 quarter time.
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
3 Qtr Time. Suns by 26.
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
The Dogs need at least one more to have any chance in the last. DOGS 4.8.32 SUNS 9.5.59 Q3 1'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL DOGS Dahlhaus Finally !! The Dogs get one and it's back to 27. DOGS 4.8.32 SUNS 9.5.59 Q3 5′
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
The Dogs have lifted but are making too many mistakes to make a difference on the scoreboard. DOGS 3.8.26 SUNS 9.5.59 Q3 5'