Australian Football

Match Report

The first of four Saturday afternoon matches has us heading to the outer northern suburbs, the Bulldogs hosting the Tigers at the My Money House Oval in Elizabeth. No sooner were the Dogs celebrating a big win against the Crows at home, they went down by five points the next week at Tiger-land in Round 4. They gave up a 20-point lead in a 5.2 to 1.1 final term, a pair of possible goal shots going begging as the Tigers ran the Bulldogs down. The Tigers had a final term fadeout of their own against the table-topping Eagles last week, going down by 20 points on their home deck while the Dogs copped a revenge-whipping from the Crows. 

The Dogs opening term probably should have been better, despite being ahead by 19 points at the first change after scoring 5.2 to 2.1. Inaccuracy would again creep into the Dogs' game and missed several opportunities in the second term, the Tigers cut the lead back to 15 points by half-time after scoring 2.1 to 1.3. The first half by both teams was loaded with skill errors and poor decisions. But onwards from here, only one team came out different... and it was the un-fancied Bulldogs. The Tigers were brought to a near grinding halt, kept to just one goal in the third term as Centrals added 4.3 to take their advantage out to six goals by three quarter-time. The worst was yet to come for the Tigers though, the home side ramming through nine unanswered goals among their 11.2 to the visitors' 1.1 in the final term. The Bulldogs dined out alright, taking a 97-point victory but for many the jury is still out on whether they're back or not. 

Nick Holman's 38 disposals and five goals got him best afield honours for Centrals, the Tigers named Carl Nicholson as their one true standout.