Colliingwood – 17.22 (124)
Western Bulldogs – 8.14 (64)
Save for a brief period in the 3rd quarter, Collingwood have smashed the Bulldogs in a rather expectant fashion in a greasy Melbourne night that threatened to be so much worse.
The Bulldogs started off rather well with their pressure at the contest but just could not sustain it. They also allowed Collingwood to play the game on their terms with relative ease which pretty much decided the game.
WIth the margin blowing out to 32 points at half-time and Bulldogs not looking like to score easily, the game was pretty much over and became a bit of a training drill for the Pies.
Key Players for Collingwood
Dale Thomas – In his best year in AFL, probably his best game. Played a brilliant 4 quarter game handling the ball like it was dry whilst also gaining a heap of metres with some long effective kicking. Finished with 32 touches and a goal.
Dane Swan – One of the better Finals performances you’ll see this series with his 39 touches, 6 clearances and 3 goals. He’s primed for a good few weeks…..
Nick Maxwell – Dominated down back in the first half after bizarrely being let to stay by himself whilst his man Jarrod Harbrow went looking for kicks upfield. He help set up the nice lead at half-time with his excellent reading of the play.
Key Players for Western Bulldogs
Ryan Griffen – Played like a man possessed, especially in the first half where he had something like 8 possessions in the first 5 minutes. If a few more of his team mates played with the same endeavour, the game may have been different. Finished with 34 touches. He wasted a bit of them, but a lot of them were under intense pressure.
Robert Murphy – Played very well behind the ball and through his ball use, the Bulldogs were able to set up some rare good attacks from the back.
Musings from the Match
Tags: Dale Thomas, Dane Swan, Nick Maxwell, Robert Murphy, Ryan Griffen
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Will Big Bad Barry get sidelined in a crucial week?
He’ll only get fined. Abusing the umpire is not an offense anyone can be suspended for.
how about punching someone in the throat?
he wont get suspended because the afl wont let it happen: its a bad image for the game…
think putting someone in a headlock and getting off scott free…
Will be a small amount of karma if Barry Hall doesnt play against Sydney.
After wrecking 2years with his stupid antics, it would almost be fitting if his new team had to win without him!
I think Sydney can win either way though with all the other issues the Bulldogs have right now
Good write up, and hard to read as a Doggies fan.
Didn’t really blame Hall for firing up at Harry O, trying to stand over Bazza after you lay a pretty nice shepherd isn’t really the smartest idea.
Hall was appropriately withdrawn though and didn’t snot him in the face!