Australian Football

Match Report

In the northern suburbs of Elizabeth, the Bulldogs faced old finals nemesis the Eagles at Playford Alive Oval. Michael Godden has coached well in the SANFL. He's got a premiership medal, he's coached the State side to wins against Western Australia, the NEAFL Northern Conference (QLD/NT division) and Victoria. He's coached victories in league matches everywhere... except for the Ponderosa. The Bulldogs have dodged all of Godsy's bullets fired at the pound, the last 10 outings at Elizabeth all resulting in losses for the Eagles. Any wins by the Eagles over the last five years have come either at Woodville or during finals. Even worse, memories of their 2004 nightmare were no doubt being evoked as the all-conquering Bulldogs side of that year were watching on from the terraces. Ironically, 2004 was the last time the Eagles won at Elizabeth!

The Dogs stunned the visitors early on, keeping the Eagles to just one lousy behind whilst scoring 4.1 for themselves to take a four-goal lead into the first change. The visitors would finally find their way through the big sticks in the second term, but the Dogs would stretch their lead out to 31 points by the half-time break after kicking 3.1 to two goals. When play resumed, the Eagles returned to the field with renewed vigor as they set about making a challenge to the Dogs who had dropped their guard a little as the visitors scored 4.2 to 2.3 to cut the margin back to 20 points by three quarter-time. The final term was an all out scrap as both sides struggled to make a real impact on the scoreboard, the Dogs holding on to win by 21 points after kicking 1.3 to the Eagles' 1.2 in the final quarter.

Ryan Williams was named best for the Bulldogs, while the Eagles voted in Jake Von Bertouch as their standout.