A young and fast paced Bombers side has powered through to the semi-finals of the NAB Cup after smashing the Bulldogs by 54 points at the Telstra Dome tonight.
The Dons lead early when they got out to a 27-point lead during the first quarter and they just powered on from then on in. The fast paced game plan and confidence shown by the Bombers particularly in the first half was outstanding and left many Bomber fans grinning.
It would be fair to say it just wasn’t the Bulldogs day after youngster Jarrad Grant was hospitalized after being stung by a stingray in this mornings training recovery session, Grant was listed as an emergency in tonights game but obviously did not play.
Scott Lucas made the most of his first game for the year in the Lloyd-less forward line by booting 3 ‘super goals’ along with two normal 6-point goals. The 3 super goals has given Lucas the current record for most super goals kicked with a total of 7.
The speed shown from the Bombers going through the ground was impressive in itself but the use of hand balling and pressure put on the Dogs around the ground was an obvious part of the Knights game plan.
Second year recruit Alwyn Davey was impressive in his first match for the year along with Leroy Jetta who laid an amazing 8 tackles. Kyle Reimers was outstanding kicking 3 goals which certainly got the supporters smiling.
Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade credited the speed and pressure of the opposition and said his side looked flat which may have been a result of last weeks match in extreme climate conditions in Darwin.
Essendon will now play the winner of the match between last years premiers Geelong and St Kilda.
Western Bulldogs 0.2.2 0.3.6 0.5.9 0.8.11 (59)
Essendon 0.5.5 1.8.6 2.10.9 3.12.14 (113)
GOALS
Essendon: Supergoals: Lucas 3. Goals: Reimers 3, Lucas 2, Welsh 2, Hille, Johnson, Laycock, Houli, Lovett-Murray
Western Bulldogs: Supergoals: Nil. Goals: Hill 2, Johnson 2, Minson, Cooney, Street, Akermanis
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Johnson, Boyd, Cooney, Cross, Murphy, Akermanis
Essendon: Lucas, Dyson, Lovett-Murray, Hille, Reimers, Houli, Watson, Monfries
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Welsh (illness), Callan (concussion)
Essendon: Michael (hamstring tightness)
Reports: Nil
Crowd: 19,831 at Telstra Dome
