Mantis
30-03-2009, 06:21 AM
It was the modern game in all its glory: numbers at the contest, a willingness to take risks, slick handball, and lots of it, and precise foot skills.
Particularly the foot skills.
The Western Bulldogs in full flight play captivating football, and they were in full flight beating Fremantle 25.7 (157) to 13.16 (94) in Perth.
I'm not bold enough to say they are yet on the same plane as Geelong and Hawthorn, but they are just as exciting.
The Doggies were the most impressive winners of Round 1, winners by 63 points against a team desperate for a first-up win and playing at home.
They kicked 25.7, a testament to their direct approach to goal, and the depth and accuracy in their kicking.
It was a superb performance, particularly with one of their key players, Robert Murphy, sitting in the stand, a late withdrawal with his knee problem, and Adam Cooney underdone and used sparingly.
Freo kicked the first two goals, but Ryan Griffen kick-started the Doggies and inspired a six-goal first quarter and nine-point lead at quarter-time.
The Bulldogs kicked seven and eight goals with the wind and crushed the Dockers after leading by just 20 points early in the final term.
They were dominant in the midfield, polished in front of goal and brazenly adventurous in defence.
Brian Lake and his mates love to back themselves, be it in marking contests or when they win the ball at ground level.
It's one, two or three handballs out the back, then, when a player has the time and space to consider his choices, he goes long to an unattended teammate.
And away they go, surging forward in numbers.
It was an uplifting way to finish a round that was big on hype and light on delivery.
While Freo finished near the bottom last year, it is a formidable team at home and played brilliantly in patches.
The difference was the Bulldogs stuck to their task for longer and had the maturity to make smarter decisions with the ball.
They also tackled with more ferocity than we are used to seeing from the boys in red, white and blue.
This is an accomplished group.
Finally, the balance seems to be right between the blue-collar brigade and those who apply the finishing touches.
Dale Morris, Daniel Cross, Matthew Boyd, Lindsay Gilbee and Daniel Giansiracusa are smart and make great decisions.
Griffen and Shaun Higgins add a dimension, while Josh Hill and Callan Ward also look a bit special . . . and Tom Williams got through the game.
Just about the perfect start.
Link (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25261339-19742,00.html)
Particularly the foot skills.
The Western Bulldogs in full flight play captivating football, and they were in full flight beating Fremantle 25.7 (157) to 13.16 (94) in Perth.
I'm not bold enough to say they are yet on the same plane as Geelong and Hawthorn, but they are just as exciting.
The Doggies were the most impressive winners of Round 1, winners by 63 points against a team desperate for a first-up win and playing at home.
They kicked 25.7, a testament to their direct approach to goal, and the depth and accuracy in their kicking.
It was a superb performance, particularly with one of their key players, Robert Murphy, sitting in the stand, a late withdrawal with his knee problem, and Adam Cooney underdone and used sparingly.
Freo kicked the first two goals, but Ryan Griffen kick-started the Doggies and inspired a six-goal first quarter and nine-point lead at quarter-time.
The Bulldogs kicked seven and eight goals with the wind and crushed the Dockers after leading by just 20 points early in the final term.
They were dominant in the midfield, polished in front of goal and brazenly adventurous in defence.
Brian Lake and his mates love to back themselves, be it in marking contests or when they win the ball at ground level.
It's one, two or three handballs out the back, then, when a player has the time and space to consider his choices, he goes long to an unattended teammate.
And away they go, surging forward in numbers.
It was an uplifting way to finish a round that was big on hype and light on delivery.
While Freo finished near the bottom last year, it is a formidable team at home and played brilliantly in patches.
The difference was the Bulldogs stuck to their task for longer and had the maturity to make smarter decisions with the ball.
They also tackled with more ferocity than we are used to seeing from the boys in red, white and blue.
This is an accomplished group.
Finally, the balance seems to be right between the blue-collar brigade and those who apply the finishing touches.
Dale Morris, Daniel Cross, Matthew Boyd, Lindsay Gilbee and Daniel Giansiracusa are smart and make great decisions.
Griffen and Shaun Higgins add a dimension, while Josh Hill and Callan Ward also look a bit special . . . and Tom Williams got through the game.
Just about the perfect start.
Link (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25261339-19742,00.html)