Australian Football

Match Report

The final match for the year took place a half-hour later at the City Mazda Stadium in Richmond where the Bloods hosted the Tigers. It was back in Round 7 that victory just managed to elude the Bloods, the Tigers escaping with a four-point win at Gliderol Stadium. Down by two goals or less at each break, the Tigers turned it on in the final quarter to nick the points. Glenelg had everything to play for this time around, but the Bloods also had something to play for as well. Not a finals spot, but to avoid the unwanted wooden spoon which they could hand to the Roosters if they could deny the Tigers. 

The Bloods started off the better outfit, they kicked first four goals of the game before the Tigers could respond. An additional behind to the Tigers' 2.3 saw the Bloods ahead by 10 points at quarter-time. But a string of late missed opportunities on goal by the Bloods allowed the Tigers to bring the gap back to a single straight kick by half-time. Glenelg scored three goals to Westies' 1.4, a two-point lead to the home side. The Bloods kicked back into the lead by the final change, outscoring the Tigers 4.2 to 2.2 in the third quarter to go up by 14 points. By this time, the Bulldogs faithful were gathering around the televisions at the Eagles' club, hoping for a miracle. Their prayers would be answered as the Bloods kept the Tigers at bay to take a 13-point win after kicking 5.1 to 5.2 in the last quarter. 

Chris Burgess was named best for the Bloods, the Tigers named Jonty Scharenberg as their best afield.