The Western Bulldogs have escaped with a narrow win over the North Melbourne Kangaroos in the first Good Friday match.
Final score
North Melbourne Kangaroos 86
Western Bulldogs 89
In a first for Good Friday, there’s footy on. The Western Bulldogs take on the North Melbourne Kangaroos in this inaugural Good Friday clash. Join The Roar for live scores from the game and a live blog of the match, starting from 4:20pm AEST.
What a difference a week makes in football. 2017 is proving to be the year that ruins everyone’s footy tips.
The Bulldogs that have played such ferocious and exciting football for the last 12 months appeared to be completely absent in the first and last quarter of their match last week.
While they were in control in the second and third terms, they failed to convert on the scoreboard.
As is the nature of the modern media and your average punter, the Bulldogs are now terrible and the success of 2016 was all just a dream.
North Melbourne last week suffered at the hand of premiership favourites GWS. They looked ordinary, but the Giants are will make most sides look ordinary this season so it’s almost acceptable.
What’s more concerning for North Melbourne is the two other losses they’ve had so far for the year they’re 17th on the ladder and looking out of their depth in 2017.
Nick Dal Santo has come out in criticism of Brad Scott’s use of skipper Andrew Swallow. It will be interesting to see how Swallow continues to handle to change in position.
This is a must win for North – or success in 2017 is going to be pretty hard to achieve from here.
Player to watch for the week – Travis Cloke. The Bulldogs received a lot of flak for recruiting him into a pretty good side but he’s had a good first couple of games.
This was all mitigated by last week, his inability to mark the ball against the Dockers was all I really noticed from the game.
He spends a lot of time near the ball so it’s important that he lifts for the Bulldogs and his career.
The unpredictability of this season almost makes me want to tip North Melbourne, but it’s the Dogs for a win for me.
Join The Roar for live scores from the game and a live blog of the match, starting from 4:20pm AEST.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
I'd say it'd be preconceived ideas generated within the umpiring dept i.e. "Bulldogs throw it heaps, watch out for that...", "People think we favour the Bulldogs, but that's not true...is it?...".
Micko
Guest
now all the AFL has to do is sort out the third man up mess. Its a joke..
SmithHatesMaxwell
Guest
Dogs are still an ordinary team offensively. Were 12th best last year. Doesn't look like they've improved. Mid-table team that needs to win all their close games and get the rub of the green from umpires to be a contender. Good to see the umpires crack down on the Bulldogs blatant throwing. Suckling is almost becoming a liability with how he has to theatrically "load up" when he's looking to kick the ball. We get it you played for Hawthorn and you're a beautiful kick...
Pope Paul VII
Guest
North were 0-4 in 1975 and went on to win the premiership. Things are right on track.
Raimond
Roar Guru
Bulldogs are 7-0 from their last seven games decided by two goals or less. Hopefully their upcoming game against the Giants won't be close.
Macca
Guest
Must have been a lot get there late, there were plenty of empty seats in the first quarter
Caitlin Doyle
Roar Guru
Poor buggers looked like they'd lost a final.
Rasty
Guest
Who is the good and who is the evil of the two swans??????
Caitlin Doyle
Roar Guru
If you told me this was going to be a great game at half time I would have called you a liar. The first half was a low scoring, low-skilled affair which was excruciating to watch. The inaugural Good Friday match was going to be a disappointment. Then the second half happened. North Melbourne came out kicking and shining. The clearances were clean and they kicked away to lead by 29 points very early into the third quarter. From there, Luke Beverage assembled his young and talented firing squad into the midfield. Bontempelli, Stringer, Dalhouse and Suckling all started to gather momentum and drop the error rate. 5 unanswered goals saw them go into three quarter time just two points down. Then came in the final quarter. What a 30 minutes of entertainment! It was a goal for goal shootout where players from both sides stood up. A with Simpkin, Ziebell and Thomas with a snapped behind all lifting for North Melbourne. Both sides played clean and fast footy. For the second time this season, North Melbourne have lost by less than a kick. They are a better side than 0-4 would indicate. They knew it and looked absolutely shattered. The Bulldogs have still got a lot to think about if they want to defend their flag in 2017. It was another game where they were scrappy and failed to covert opportunities. They relied on both the patchiness of the opposition and the sheer brilliance of Marcus Bontempelli to life when it really matter. They also have some injury concerns with Tom Boyd (concussion) and Travis Cloke (suspected broken rib). All in all, an absolutely exhilarating match and with an attendance of 42,841 this Good Friday rivalry which felt artificial could end up being a huge success. A very relieved Bulldogs fan signing off here. Leave your comments and thoughts below. Caitlin
Swanny
Guest
Go back to the dynasty swannies 0-4
Raimond
Roar Guru
this sucks
Swannies
Guest
Let's applaud Bulldogs tonight. They managed to get home playing below their best. North looked good in patches but will need time to get it all together...say 3 years. By then Scott will be replaced by someone who can actually coach and lead them to another tilt at a GF.
Swannies
Guest
Much rather be in Sydney's camp than North. We'll easily string together 13 wins and play finals. North will be lucky to win more than 6.
Swanny
Guest
Sydney and yr dynasty are gone champ
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
That Thomas kick with seconds to go almost gave me a heart attack! Would've been heartbreaking for everyone involved by North, though!
Swanny
Guest
Sydney 0-4 lol
Caitlin Doyle
Roar Guru
#heartattack
Swannies
Guest
Go the Doggies! Don't write them off just yet!
Caitlin Doyle
Roar Guru
The Bulldogs sneak over the line. Phew. That was an exhausting half of football. Be still my beating Bulldogs heart. It's the Bulldogs by 3 points at Etihad.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Bloody hell, how good was that?!