The Western Bulldogs have held on to win their NAB Cup Round One clash with North Melbourne. The 11 point win was sealed by a supergoal from defender Lindsey Gilbee with less than three minutes on the clock. A quick handball from Brad Johnson allowed Gilbee to kick truly from outside 50 and score 9 points, to give the Dogs a match winning lead. The Bulldogs move to Round 2 of the NAB Cup knockout competition and will meet the winner of the Brisbane Lions vs. Essendon match tonight on the Gold Coast.
With the extreme humidity in Darwin, both sides where given two extra interchange players and were allowed longer breaks between quarters. This didn’t prevent crucial injuries to both sides with Daniel Wells injuring his thigh just nine minutes into the match and Farren Ray finishing the game on crutches.
The Kangaroos looked to be coming home with a nine pointer to Drew Petrie and a goal to Matthew Campbell put them close early in the last term, but the Bulldogs held on to win 1.6.9 (54) to 1.4.10 (43).
Western Bulldogs – 1.6.9 (54)
Lindsay Gilbee – 1.0.0
Matthew Boyd – 0.1.0
Nathan Eagleton – 0.1.3
Jason Akermanis – 0.1.1
Stephen Tiller – 0.1.0
Peter Street – 0.1.0
Scott Welsh – 0.1.0
North Melbourne – 1.4.10 (43)
Drew Petre – 1.1.1
Leigh Adams – 0.2.0
Matthew Campbell – 0.1.1