Australian Football

Match Report

This was the big battle between first and second and through the magic of TV, the ABC covered the clash between the Tigers and the Bulldogs at Gliderol Stadium in Glenelg. There wasn't much notable history between these two clubs other than the 1975 record-breaker, until last year when the Dogs defeated the Bays in a Grand Final. 

The Dogs started off best, opening their account with a 5.4 to 2.2 first quarter to lead by 20 points at quarter-time. The Dogs maintained the gap against home side in the second term, a further 3.1 to Glenelg's inaccurate 2.5 saw the visitors up by 22 points at the long break. The Dogs killer instinct, which had been under question for a few weeks, looked to have made its way back into their game. The reigning premiers kept the Tigers at arms length in the third quarter as both sides kicked 3.4. The deficit would go unaltered at the final change, still 22 points. But the Tigers would not give up easily, however there would be no victory dance for either side as the Tigers did enough to evade a defeat on home soil but not enough to win either. McConnell's goal on the siren ensured a draw at 81 points a piece after Glenelg kicked 4.4 to the Dogs' single goal. 

Chris Hall was voted best for the Bays, while captain Paul Thomas was named best for Central.