TonyK
CibbuanoPies ruin Johnson's milestone
March 28th 2010 06:42
COLLINGWOOD has ruined Western Bulldogs skipper Brad Johnson’s 350th game with an impressive 36-point win in a high-quality contest at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The Magpies got the early jump and answered every challenge thrown at them by the Bulldogs, eventually prevailing 19.15 (129) to 13.15 (93).
The Pies’ small forwards in Alan Didak, Paul Medhurst and Leon Davis were instrumental in the win, combining for 11 goals.
Star midfielder Dane Swan was also damaging with 31 possessions and three majors while Heath Shaw and Harry O’Brien generated plenty of run from defence with 36 and 25 disposals respectively.
Matthew Boyd was the Bulldogs’ best with a game-high 39 touches, Robert Murphy (23, 12 marks) was all class while Daniel Cross and Adam Cooney were also prolific.
Barry Hall kicked three first-half goals while Mitch Hahn was the Dogs’ only other multiple goal-kicker with two majors.
The Magpies jumped out of the blocks, applying plenty of body pressure and moving the football with precision as they slammed on eight goals to three in a first term that was played at a frenetic pace.
When Medhurst kicked his second in the opening minute of the second quarter the Pies had a 36-point lead.
The Bulldogs were on the ropes but they were able to take control in the middle and hit back with five of the last six goals of the first half to get themselves to within striking distance of Collingwood.
The Dogs trailed by just three points after a rare goal from Brian Lake at the 16-minute mark of the third quarter.
They had the chance to hit the front for the first time since Hall kicked a behind in the opening minute of the first term but Lindsay Gilbee missed a gettable shot on goal.
It proved to be a costly miss as the Magpies managed majors through Swan, Didak and Medhurst to open up a 20-point break at three-quarter time.
Hahn converted early in the final stanza but six-pointers from Didak and Travis Cloke - who was gifted the easiest of goals after Will Minson gave away a 50m penalty for running over the mark - snuffed out the Bulldogs' chances.
WESTERN BULLDOGS: 3.2, 9.6, 11.11, 13.15 (93)
COLLINGWOOD: 8.2, 10.9, 14.13, 19.15 (129)
GOALS: Bulldogs: Hall 3, Hahn 2, Murphy, Boyd, Higgins, Giansiracusa, Hill, Lake, Picken, Minson
Collingwood: Medhurst 4, Didak 4, Swan 3, Davis 3, Anthony, Pendlebury, Thomas, Wellingham, Cloke
BEST: Bulldogs: Boyd, Murphy, Cross, Cooney, Lake, Everitt
Collingwood: Swan, Shaw, O'Brien, Medhurst, Didak, Maxwell, Wellingham
INJURIES: Bulldogs: Nil
Collingwood: Nil
UMPIRES: Chamberlain, Stevic, Pannell
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Bulldogs: Morris (flu) replaced in selected side by Addison
CROWD: 49,000 at Etihad Stadium
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