GOONERSGUIDE AFL AUSSIE RULES NEWS SECTION

This is our AFL Aussie Rules news section where we provide any news items that might have a significant effect on the matches being played - or sports betting in general.

AFL Aussie Rules News :: Collingwood Magpies Blitz Western Bulldogs

Posted on 2011-05-01 by Costanzo

Collingwood has withstood a spirited challenge from the Western Bulldogs to post a 48-point win at the MCG on Sunday night.

AN EXTRAORDINARY last-quarter burst of eight goals in 18 minutes has powered Collingwood to a 48-point win over the Western Bulldogs in wet conditions at the MCG on Sunday evening.

The Magpies, who lost key defender Chris Tarrant before the game, and midfielder Ben Johnson to injury early on, looked set to record an easy victory when they led by 28 points mid-way through the third term.

They suffered a major scare when the Bulldogs fought back, booting five unanswered goals to draw level five minutes into in the final stanza.

But Mick Malthouse's men raced away again at the finish, Leigh Brown slotting four late majors, including a brilliant left-foot effort from just inside the boundary line, as Collingwood won 15.15 (105) to 8.9 (57).

Heath Shaw, Steele Sidebottom, Dane Swan and Andrew Krakouer were other impressive contributors for the winners.

Former Brisbane Lion Justin Sherman was best for the Bulldogs, who were goalless for more than an hour during the middle of the game.

Given star players Barry Hall, Daniel Giansiracusa, Ben Hudson, Shaun Higgins and Ryan Hargrave were unavailable due to injury, the Dogs went into the game as rank underdogs.

But they surprised the Magpies by kicking three unanswered goals in the first 12 minutes of the game.

While they didn't score again during the opening quarter, Rodney Eade's men were still 10 points up at the opening change.

A spray from Mick Malthouse then stung Collingwood into action. The Magpies held the Bulldogs scoreless in the second term, while booting 3.7 themselves.

Steele Sidebottom's left-foot snap from deep in the right pocket was the highlight of a scrappy period of play.

Thanks to the Bulldogs' brave comeback, the Robert Rose Cup remained in the balance until half-way through the final term.

But a late Brown-inspired avalanche ensured the Magpies made it six wins from six starts.

The 15. 15. (105) to 8. 9. (57) ensured the Pies remain undefeated in 2011 and left the Bulldogs two points outside the top eight.

The low-scoring match sprung to life just before the last change as the freewheeling Bulldogs pegged back Collingwood's mid-game dominance.

In a hot start the Dogs built a 10-point quarter-time lead but the reigning premiers kept them scoreless in a hard-fought second quarter to take a 15-point buffer into the main break.

The Pies dominated the contested ball during the third term. Scott Pendlebury, who collected 25 touches for the match and Andrew Krakouer, 24 possesions and two important goals, were damaging through midfield while forwards Chris Dawes and Travis Cloke provided reliable targets in attack.

The Dogs found their long-awaited fourth major through Justin Sherman six minutes from three-quarter time and goals to Lindsay Gilbee and Liam Picken inside the last 20 seconds of the quarter brought the margin back to eight points heading into the final stanza.

But eight goals to the Pies in the last quarter, including four from utility Leigh Brown, snuffed out any chance of an upset.

Ryan Griffen was the Bulldogs' major ball-winner with 26 disposals, while captain Matthew Boyd had 24.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of the clubs or the AFL

Sourced From : AFL Website

PREVIOUS NEWS ITEM :
Bodog launch a new MLB parley competition for US and Canadian players