Eagles Intensity Prevails Over Dogs

Scott Lockhart reporting for AFANA from Subiaco Oval, Perth.

The West Coast Eagles have again shown they are the dominant force in the competition after beating the Western Bulldogs by 15 points at Subiaco Oval. In a battle of the two of the strongest running teams in the league, it was the Eagles who were able to outlast their opponents in a highly intense contest. The Eagles were able to restrict the Bulldogs to their lowest score of the year through intense pressure and strong games from captain Chris Judd and rising star Matt Pridis who kicked three crucial goals.

West Coast came into the match without a loss in the first five rounds of the season, having accounted for Richmond by 23 points last week at the MCG. Andrew Embley was a late withdrawal from the side, replaced in the starting lineup by youngster Mark LeCras. The Bulldogs started the round in ninth position (3 wins and 2 losses) after a hard fought win over Hawthorn last week. The team came into the match with no changes. The Bulldogs were given a finals lesson last time the two sides met, with the Eagles running out 74 point winners in last years semi-final. West Coast started strong favorites in front of an eager sold out crowd.

The Eagles began the opening term with good run, dominating early possession and finding entry in their forward line easily. However, they were not able to transform this early possession dominance into scoreboard pressure, with the forwards being consistently off target. It was the Bulldogs through veteran Brad Johnson with the opening goal of the game from just their first entry into attack. However, their lead was short lived with after scoring the Eagles first goal in the following minute. This was quickly followed by goals to Quinten Lynch and Eagles captain Chris Judd who shrugged off two tackles to boot the Eagles third goal in six minutes. Judd, who has had a stellar start to the season, was finding strong run through the middle of the ground despite fellow midfield star Daniel Kerr having little impact on the game in the opening quarter. Good pressure from the Eagles forwards made it difficult for the Bulldogs to get the ball out of defense quickly, meaning their strong running game was halted. A goal to Ryan Murphy reduced the margin back to nine points, despite the Eagles continuing to control the momentum of play. Another goal to the Bulldogs through Farren Ray brought the margin back to four points as the quarter came to a close, a deficit the Bulldogs would be relatively happy with given the Eagles possession dominance throughout the quarter.

The second term began in much the same fashion as the first, with the Eagles forward line being crowded with defenders while the Bulldogs forward line being open and giving the forwards space to lead into. This set up made scoring opportunities very difficult for the Eagles and it showed with them continuing to be unable to create any real pressure despite them having control of the match. Good running defense from the Bulldogs saw them create further pressure on the Eagles through the middle of the ground. A goal to Daniel Giansiracusa at the 11 minute mark, the first of the term, gave the Bulldogs the lead for the first time in the match as the momentum continued to swing in their favor. Another goal the Bulldogs through their star recruit Jason Akermanis gave the Bulldogs further breathing space as they continued to stifle the Eagles run. A crucial goal to the Eagles from Adam Hunter reduced the margin back to two points, but it was extended again after Brad Johnson marked strongly in the goal square and kicked truly. Two late quarter goals to the Eagles through LeCras and Lynch gave the Eagles the lead by three points at half time, despite the Bulldogs dominating the quarter.

The second half opened with a tough goal to West Coast’s Matt Pridis, who increased the lead out to 10 points as the Eagles looked the better team in the opening few minutes. However, a goal to Giansiracusa reduced the margin back to within a goal as the Bulldogs continued to fight strongly against the running machine of West Coast. Pridis continued to create opportunities up forward for his team, kicking his third goal to increase the margin back out to 10 points. This was followed a short time later by a goal to Eagle Steven Armstrong who took the Eagles out to a game high lead out 18 points, as they looked increasingly dangerous around the ground. However, yet another goal to Giansiracusa brought the difference back to two goals as the contest continued to be tight and tough. The final minutes of the quarter saw both sides have opportunities on goal but neither able to capitalize on their opportunities. The Eagles went into the final change with a 12 point lead, setting up a thrilling final quarter that would test the endurance of both sides.

The final term began with the Eagles yet again controlling early possession, but they were not able to capitalize on their opportunities despite having significantly more forward line entries. The crucial opening goal of the quarter came at the seven minute mark from Jordon McMahon who gave the Bulldogs momentum and reduced the margin back to seven points. A goal to LeCras returned the Eagles lead back to beyond two goals and illustrated the intense tightness of the match. The Bulldogs increased their intensity as the quarter drew on, however poor delivery into their forward line made scoring opportunities difficult. Their task was made more difficult by a hamstring injury to star Robert Murphy who had to be helped from the ground. Although both teams continued to drive the ball forward, they were unable to make any change on the scoreboard. The Eagles running out winners in a tight contest by 15 points.

Next week the Eagles travel to Skilled Stadium where they will face a Geelong side in good form, while the Bulldogs return home to face Melbourne at the Telstra Dome in a match they will expect to win to get their season back on track.