Western Bulldogs snatch victory against Gold Coast in ugly contest
IN A week where debate raged as to the state of the game, the Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast put on a pretty ordinary match, which was saved by the see-sawing scoreline.
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THERE was a ferris wheel in the background and for large parts a circus act in the foreground.
On a typically blustery Ballarat day, the Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast put on one of the more forgettable games this season has seen.
It was saved by the see-sawing scoreline, the Bulldogs prevailing — or, escaping — their trip to “Mars” with a nine-point victory in front of 6833 spectators.
All week debate has raged as to the state of the game. The state of this game was pretty ordinary, and it wasn’t a by-product of congestion.
In fairness, conditions weren’t conducive to a cracking spectacle and neither were the age profiles of these clubs.
With Ballarat no longer housing a VFL team, Mars Stadium is used often used as a TAC Cup venue.
Well, Saturday’s match featured 10 players still taking their first steps after under-18s — the Dogs fielding six players with less than 10 games’ experience and the Suns four.
The Gold Coast “Nomads” led at every change and were predictably overrun.
The Suns have seen more airports than part-time pilots this season and heavy legs probably played a part in the final quarter as they lost the inside 50 count 24-8.
The 24 inside 50s were the most the Bulldogs had ever recorded in a final term.
The lack of flags at the venue didn’t do the abundance of skill errors any favours, for the winds were hard to gauge.
In the first quarter more kicks sailed out on the full than through the goals.
The ground announcer declared: “What a fantastic second quarter ladies and gentleman” as the halftime siren sounded.
He was being as kind as the umpires were to Gold Coast in the first quarter, awarding the Suns 13 free kicks to one.
Even the big screen had an off day, showing the incorrect score for about 12 minutes after it became confused by a Billy Gowers goal in the second quarter.
Josh Dunkley kicked the Dogs’ first goal one minute into the match and they travelled the next 43 minutes searching for a second.
Club great Bob Murphy conceded on radio they appeared “flat”.
Then, there was a rush. Jason Johannisen moved forward in a switch which sparked the game and broke the drought. Soon after lifelong Bulldog fan Patrick Lipinski kicked consecutive goals.
Suddenly the baby Bulldogs had booted four in six minutes. It was their only hot patch of the first half and it ultimately proved decisive.
Tim English had a quiet day although took his moment in the final quarter. The Dogs recorded 11 of the first 12 entries in the final term however couldn’t find a way to goal.
But English, who predominantly played at full-forward with Tom Boyd used in the ruck, received a technical free kick and slotted the set-shot as the game finally cracked open.
The Dogs entered the match ranked 18th for set-shot accuracy, their 38 per cent about 15 per cent below the AFL average.
It was Jack Macrae’s day, the workhorse recording 40 disposals to back up his 41 disposals at Ballarat last year.
He racked up 23 contested possessions, 12 clearances and 10 score involvements.
But it wasn’t his moment in the last quarter as he collected a loose ball in defence. Macrae didn’t notice Aaron Young, perhaps hidden in the grand stand’s shadow, and was hammered in a tackle.
Young kicked his second goal and an upset threatened until Billy Gowers and Bailey Williams iced the game.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.2 5.5 8.7 11.15 (81)
GOLD COAST 2.6 5.9 8.10 10.12 (72)
GOALS
Bulldogs: Lipinski 2, Gowers 2, Dunkley, Johannisen, Jong, Honeychurch, Macrae, English, Williams
Suns: Day 2, Young 2, Martin 2, Ballard, Crossley, Sexton, Miller
BEST
Bulldogs: Macrae, McLean, Hunter, Dalhaus, Daniel, Naughton, Dunkley, Gowers
Suns: Witts, Miller, Swallow, Martin, Young, Ainsworth
INJURIES
Bulldogs: Bontempelli (hip, replaced in selected side by Honeychurch)
Suns: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Ryan, Fleer, Gianfagna
Official crowd: 6833 at Mars Stadium
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