[g2:13697]The Western Bulldogs outlasted a spirited Kangaroos outfit at TIO stadium in Darwin on Friday night. In a low scoring game where the back lines of both teams held firm, the Bulldogs were able to put the score on the board and remained in front for the entire game. Apart from a brief rally by the Kangaroos in the last quarter the Bulldogs seemed to have their measure. Bulldogs' fullback Josh Gibson clearly had the measure of Kangaroos dangerman Nathan Thompson and was repelling everything that came his way. The Bulldogs midfield, led by a tenacious Jason Akermanis gave their forwards plenty of opportunities, and apart from a small blemish by Robert Murphy whose missed shot on goal from fifty feet in front dribbled six feet from his boot, they got the better of their Kangaroo opponents. In the end the Bulldogs won 1.6.9 (54) to 1.4.10 (43) and move into the second round of the NAB Cup.
[g2:13710] Kangaroo Leigh Adams got the ball rolling for the Kangaroos on Friday night with this snapped goal from the boundary line. Adams was awarded a free kick deep in the left forward pocket and smartly ran around his opponent to snap the Kangaroos first goal. Adams was a solid contributor for the Kangaroos and ended up with two goals for the game.
[g2:13701] Western Bulldogs Jason Akermanis directs traffic in the first quarter of the game against the Kangaroos. The Bulldogs were sharper and a little more advanced in their preperation than the Kangaroos at this stage of the season.
[g2:13707] Kangaroo veteran Brent Harvey found the tropical weather of Darwin a little hot for his liking on Friday night. Both teams used the cool rooms for every break and the ice vests were a popular accessory on the night.
[g2:13704]Western Bulldogs back-man Brian Lake (Harris) sends the Bulldogs into attack during the first quarter of their game against the Kangaroos. Lake and fellow back-man Josh Gibson and Daniel Pratt held firm against the Kangaroos, and had the better of the Kangaroo forwards in this term.
[g2:13791]Kangaroos leading goalkicker in 2005-06 Nathan Thompson has a breather in the first quarter of the game against the Western Bulldogs. Thompson who missed all of last season with a serious knee injury found the going tough and didn't score during the game. Thompson will benefit for therun and should produce better things leading into the season proper.
[g2:13785]Action from the first quarter of the game between the Western Bulldogs and the Kangaroos in Darwin on Friday night. The Kangaroos forwards were unable to capitalise on the many forward thrust's by their midfield, and the ball rebounded as quickly as it came in.
[g2:13788]The Kangaroos forwards fly for the ball, but as happened on many occasions they were not able to grab a clean mark, and the Western Bulldogs defenders were able to clear the ball out of the danger zone.
[g2:13782]Western Bulldogs Ryan Griffen slips the tackle of his Kangaroo opponent deep in the forward line of the Kangaroos during the first quarter of the NAB Cup round one game on Friday night.
[g2:13794]The Western Bulldogs clear the ball from their backline. A feature of their game against the Kangaroos was their pin point accuracy out of defence and the ease in which they executed it.
[g2:13713]Action from the second quarter in the Western Bulldogs forward line. The second quarter saw the Kangaroos outscore the Bulldogs, but only by two points. Neither forward line could get a clean hold on the ball as the back lines of both teams spoiled the ball at every opportunity.
[g2:13716]Kangaroos gritty midfielder Daniel Harris gets out on his to take this mark on the wing during the game against Western.
[g2:13719]Western Bulldogs ruckman Peter Street kicks a goal from just inside fifty during the second quarter on Friday night. Street's goal was the start of a mini scoring spree with both sides finally finding the way through the big sticks.
[g2:13722]Kangaroo backman Shannon Watt takes this finger tip mark in defence against the Western Bulldogs.
[g2:13725]Western Bulldogs forward Robert Murphy flies for this mark on the Bulldogs forward line. The Bulldogs will be looking to Murphy to start where he left off last year after some hamstring problems hampered his form in the middle of last season.
[g2:13728]Kangaroo back-man Jess Sinclair gets the hand ball and prepares to send the 'Roos out of trouble during the second quarter of their loss to the Western Bulldogs.
[g2:13731]Michael Firrito marks decisively over team mate Josh Gibson the backline during the second quarter. Firrito played a strong game for the Kangaroos and was one of his side's better players.
[g2:13734]Bulldogs ruckman Ben Hudson is surrounded by Kangaroo players on Friday night but manages to get a hand pass away.Hudson played a serviceable game for the Bulldogs in their triumph against the Kangaroos.
[g2:13737]Kangaroo midfielder Adam Simpson sends the Kangaroos into attack during the third quarter. Simpson was one of the Kangaroos' better players in their loss to the Western Bulldogs.
[g2:13740]Kangaroo ruckman Hamish McIntosh takes a great mark in the forward line on Friday night. Unfortunately, he could only manage a behind when a goal for the Kangaroos was sorely needed.
[g2:13743]The Kangaroos had the better of the Bulldogs in the third quarter of the NAB Cup game, but could not get a goal on the board they kicked only two points for the quarter. The Bulldogs could do no better and kicked one goal, five behinds. The game could have been put out of the Kangaroos' reach if the Bulldogs had kicked straight, both Jason Akermanis and Nathan Eagleton missed fairly straight forward shots from directly in front. Nathan Eagleton had a superb quarter for the Bulldogs picking up many possessions around the ground, and full back Brian Lake (Harris) was doing a supreme job in holding Kangaroo spearhead Nathan Thompson.
[g2:13746]Western Bulldogs star Jason Akermanis was knocked to the ground in a heavy off ball incident with Kangaroo strong man Leigh Harding. Although Akermanis stayed down for a few minutes, he got to his feet and quickly stamped his class on the game with a couple of great plays that resulted in scoring opportunities for the Bulldogs.
[g2:13749]Fullback Brian Lake (Harris) punches the ball away from the Kangaroo forwards. Lake played in this fashion all night and held Kangaroo leader Nathan Thompson to a few touches all night.The Western Bulldogs backmen were far too good for their Kangaroo opponents on the night.
[g2:13752]Bulldog Josh Hill takes a mark on the back line in the third quarter against the Kangaroos on Friday night.
[g2:13755]Bulldogs wingman Nathan Eagleton takes this mark in the last quarter on Friday night. Eagleton who showed great form in the third quarter was easily one of the Bulldogs' best players in their win against the Kangaroos.
[g2:13758]Kangaroo Leigh Harding sees the ball safely out of the Bulldogs forward line during the last term in Friday night's game.
[g2:13761]Bulldog Jason Akermanis gives away a free kick in a crude tackle on his Kangaroo opponent in the final quarter of Friday night's game.
[g2:13764]Kangaroo Leigh Adams marks safely on the wing. Adams did his job well for the Kangaroos, kicking two goals for the night.
[g2:13767]Kangaroo Josh Gibson is well tackled by Bulldog Robert Murphy while Murphy's teammate Jarrod Harbrow looks on.
[g2:13770]The Kangaroos players walk off the ground with heads bowed wondering what went wrong after their loss to the Western Bulldogs.
[g2:13773]Western Bulldogs players gather in the center of the ground to celebrate their win against the Kangaroos in round one of the NAB Cup.
[g2:13776]Western Bulldogs players gather in the center of the ground to celebrate their win against the Kangaroos in round one of the NAB Cup.
[g2:13779]Part of the large crowd that saw the Western Bulldogs claim victory against the Kangaroos in Friday night's game at TIO Stadium in Australia's tropical capital Darwin. The Darwin people have adopted the Western Bulldogs and affectionately call them The "Darwin Dogs"
Article last changed on Sunday, February 17, 2008 - 3:02 PM EST
