AFL wrap: Bulldogs have their bite back
Posted by Brent DiamondJul 11. 2011 5:15 am
THE Western Bulldogs are emerging from a grave that had them virtually buried this season after disposing of top four hopeful Carlton by 27-points at Etihad Stadium yesterday.
Most of the general media had coach Rodney Eade sacked, some of the players virtually delisted and talk of a potential coup to take over the presidency from David Smorgon just last month. Now they sit just a half a game outside the top eight and with an even money chance of making the finals, something that didn’t seem credible a few weeks ago.
Still coach Eade was only slightly optimistic about the clubs’ chances yesterday after the win.
“We must play seven of the last eight games against teams on top of us on the ladder so destiny is in our own hands,” Eade said.
“That will probably change weekly with a win or a loss, so we are not contemplating finals yet.”
The Bulldogs are playing more like they were last year with Barry Hall sneaking into form with four goals – and if they can get defender Brian Lake back into the team and playing well, their could be a few teams in the bottom half of the eight that may very well be worried.
West Coast continued its rise up the ladder with an impressive eight point win over Geelong at Patersons Stadium on Friday night.
It was only the Cats second loss of the season and has cost them top spot on the ladder as Collingwood crushed North Melbourne by a staggering 117 points yesterday.
The Pies take pole position and face Carlton in a blockbuster this week.
Hawthorn consolidated third spot with a 42-point win over the Brisbane Lions in Tassie, while Sydney smashed the Gold Coast by 70-points.
Essendon took over in the second half to provide a 39-point win over Richmond on Saturday night, while St Kilda continued to push for the top eight with a handsome 56-point win over Port Adelaide.
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