Not a breath of wind graced the first quarter with the two power house teams going blow for blow. The first 6 minutes were end to end with long running, long kicking fierce close battles and solid defence stopping any advantage. Bulldog Sam Burdett was the key to defence swallowing every pill that came his way whilst the ever-young Eagle Adrian Young seemed to float into every Bulldog attack. The score on the first quarter at 2 3 15 to 2 1 13 set the scene.
A slight breeze opened the second quarter to the advantage of the Bulldogs and with Stoke and Cookie running amok in the middle and combining well with Stevo and Sully into the forward line the Bulldogs looked to blow the Eagle off scoring 5 2 to 3 solitary points.
With the Southerly picking up and the storm clouds brewing better than a Tuatara APA it was the Eagle turn in the Premiership quarter and this is when the cream rose to the top. Eagles Ryan O’Sullivan and Charles dominated the clearances and with the steady hands and steady boot of Richie Heazlewood the Queen Mary was starting to turn. When Eagles Sam Traynor kicked a goal running into the right hand pocket across his body a-la Gary Ablett Jnr from 40 metres out GAME WAS ON. Eagles kicked 4 3 to Bulldogs solitary 2 in the third quarter. Bulldogs lead by 1 GOAL !
Wouldn’t you know it in the last quarter the breeze blew dead threw the centre of the ground so the only advantage was moving the ball out of the dead ball zone which both teams struggled with at times. Heazlewood showed some class pulling speccies on Stoke but failing miserably to convert whilst his better half Bulldog Kate McLaughlin got into great position to mark strongly in front of goal and sneak the Bulldogs in front. The underrated Eagles waterboy Clint Williams actually shone out and was very useful tackling and turning over ball. Clint and Sweaty have a Monday 9am appointment to re-evaluate Clint’s contract. Even veteran Bulldog Stefan Van Grueting pinned his ears back for a few penetrating runs down the wing to push the Doggies forward. Even though the Eagles came within 5 points it was the Bulldogs who kicking more accurately 4 2 to 3 3 snatched the win.. Therefore the Bulldogs win 2 Eagles drew 1. Maybe they play for bigger rewards in the Grand Final. Time will tell.
Last Modified on 08/10/2016 20:59