Australian Football

Match Report

The split round would begin the first week with a single Saturday afternoon contest up north at the X-Convenience Oval in Elizabeth where the rivals of the noughties faced off, the Bulldogs against the Eagles. Back in Round 6 at Woodville, the Eagles were victorious over a tenacious but in the end inefficient Bulldogs outfit by four goals. The Doggies' second term was probably where they fell on their sword, spraying wide a couple of chances that could well have seen them well in touch come the second half. Not even a lull in the Eagles attack during the third term could be exploited by the Dogs, where the home side got the only goal of the period. This time around, it was fifth versus fourth, the Eagles ahead on percentage only after both sides sustained losses during the previous week, both against the AFL reserves sides by four straight kicks in each. Those brave enough to face the weather would end up absolutely sodden and the ensuing battle was quite a slog but was entertaining enough to keep interest. The rain wasn't as harsh early on, but with a slippery field and ball, the two sides struggled to put scoreboard pressure on. The Dogs missed at least one deadset sitter during the opening term, going into the first change with a two-point lead with the board reading 1.3 to 1.1. The Eagles kicked into the lead 13 minutes into the second term with a pair of majors, but were back behind again by the half-time siren. A goal close to the break among the 2.2 that the Bulldogs managed would have them up by four points at the long break. The Bulldogs defence was making hard work for the Eagles forwards in the wet, no doubt after the showing against Port last week there was an emphasis on defensive tactics at training during the week because if it was, it was going to pay dividends. The rain really started coming down by the final change, by that time the Dogs had a stellar third term where they kept the Eagles scoreless and added 3.2 to their score to go four goals up at three quarter-time. The Dogs wouldn't find their sticks again after this, but again their defenders stood up against the expected Eagles' last ditch efforts. The visitors could only kick 1.1 in the last quarter, Centrals would emerge the victors by 17 points. Harry Grant continues to be the Bulldogs' ball-magnet, named best afield with 32 disposals, 11 clearances and six tackles. The Eagles had several tireless contributors, but the standout would be James Rowe with 20 disposals, four marks and an outstanding 15 tackles.