Easton Wood takes absolute screamer against Fremantle

IT might only be round one, but Easton Wood’s incredible aerial work has set him up to lead the running for Mark of the Year.

AFL: Round 1 , Western Bulldogs V Fremantle at Etihad Stadium, 27th March, Melbourne Australia. Western Bulldogs Easton Wood takes a mark in the third quarter over Fremantle's Lachie Weller Picture : George Salpigtidis

IT might only be round one of the AFL, but Western Bulldogs midfielder Easton Wood has already put himself in contention for the illustrious Mark of the Year.

In the third quarter of the Bulldogs’ Easter Sunday clash with Fremantle, Wood took to the skies, sailing over Dockers youngster Lachie Weller to take an incredible screamer right in front of the Bulldogs goal.

Wood sat up on Weller’s shoulders, hauling in the ball while falling backwards, before landing heavily on his back.

Easton Wood takes to the skies! #AFLDogsFreo https://t.co/pMwXYw6T2o

— AFL (@AFL) March 27, 2016

The Western Bulldogs even went as far as to hesitantly call it the prized Mark of the Year, while the opposition showed their respect for such a gutsy play.

EASTON WOOD may have just taken the mark of the year. WOW. WEE. #earlycall #AFLDogsFreo

— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) March 27, 2016

Bravo Easton Wood #AFLDogsFreo #foreverfreo

— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) March 27, 2016

While it seems unlikely that Wood won’t have some tough competition as the season progresses if he is to be in contention for the season’s best grab, fans on Twitter couldn’t get enough of the 26-year-old’s courageous efforts.

Upon reflection, Easton Wood had no right to get a decent hand on that footy let alone mark the dang thing. Remarkable #AFLDogsFreo

— Robert Beaton (@BobbyBeaton16) March 27, 2016

Unbelievable mark by @easton_wood @westernbulldogs #AFLDogsFreo pic.twitter.com/LW3cVANe3S

— Michael Willson (@MichaelCWillson) March 27, 2016

Easton Wood have made a mockery of "Markers Up" in his school days #punny #butseriously

— Jay Kennedy Harris (@kennedyharrisj) March 27, 2016

How's that for a hanger! Easton Wood! #AFLDogsFreo

— Andrew Johnston (@ARJ7X) March 27, 2016

A withering opening burst from the Western Bulldogs set up a 65-point win over Fremantle at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The slick Bulldogs made the dazed Dockers look like they were running in wet sand as they set up the 15.13 (103) to 5.8 (38) win with a stunning opening salvo.

The Bulldogs had winners across the ground.

Jason Johannisen and Shane Biggs led the way with 35 disposals, Jake Stringer booted five goals and Easton Wood, was composed in defence along with Rob Murphy.

From the moment Marcus Bontempelli’s opening goal sailed through with barely 20 seconds elapsed until the quarter-time siren sounded with shell-shocked Fremantle 41 points in arrears, the Dogs were irresistible.

Tom Liberatore had a hand in that goal then was swamped by jubilant teammates when he kicked one of his own soon after in his first game since 2014.

The star onballer missed the Dogs’ barnstorming run to the finals in Luke Beveridge’s first year as he recovered from a knee reconstruction and celebrated his return with 25 possessions. But where the Dogs dazzled, the Dockers looked out of sorts from the outset with Matthew Pavlich then Hayden Ballantyne missing simple set shots in the first quarter as their side went inside the forward 50 just six times.

Matthew Pavlich will wait to see if he faces penalty for a bump on Easton Wood.

Nat Fyfe was indicative of Fremantle’s malaise, the Brownlow medallist managing just six possessions to half-time before finishing with 15 touches.

To make matters worse for Fremantle, Pavlich faces a nervous wait to see how the match review panel assesses a front on bump on Wood in the second quarter.

The margin was 50 points at half-time and Ross Lyon might find some solace in the way his side fought back into the contest. With Aaron Sandilands missing through suspension and Pavlich, Fyfe and David Mundy not having their usual influence, the Dockers outscored the Dogs in the third term to trail by 40 points at three-quarter time.

Pavlich pulled the margin back to 34 points with his only goal of the day early in the final term but the Dogs made one final push, kicking the last five goals of the contest to celebrate an impressive win in front of 27,832 fans.

— with AAP