The West Coast Eagles suffered a heart-wrenching two-point loss to the Western Bulldogs at Metricon Stadium tonight – being denied victory by millimetres – literally.
When Marcus Bontempelli converted a set shot from 50 metres at the 20 minute mark of the final term, it looked to the naked eye like Jeremy McGovern had helped the ball over the line.
A score review was inclusive so the goal umpire’s decision and the goal stood. Another behind after the siren saw the Bulldogs endure 6.13 (49) to 7.5 (47).
The Bontempelli kick gave the Bulldogs a one-point advantage after moments earlier Tom Cole had kicked a clutch set shot goal and looked like being a hero for the second week running.
The Eagles lost Nic Naitanui before the bounce, ruled out with a sore back, giving Tom Hickey his first opportunity since the round four loss to Port Adelaide in round four.
In his third game for the season Hickey combined with versatile youngster Oscar Allen. The Eagles pair worked hard in tandem, with Hickey spending most of the night opposed to athletic WA product Tim English.
West Coast made a bright start to the game, looking dangerous when they ventured into their own attacking half, while also stifling the frenetic free-flowing game the Bulldogs like to play.
With Hickey, Tim Kelly, Jack Redden and Dom Sheed in the middle for most of the centre bounces, they ensured the Eagles persistently put the Bulldogs’ defence under pressure and their forwards enjoyed the steady stream of opportunities.
Jake Waterman kicked two first-quarter goals, while Liam Ryan and Josh Kennedy also hit the scoreboard.
When the Bulldogs did venture inside their attacking arc, the West Coast defence held firm with Jeremy McGovern, Tom Cole, Brad Sheppard and Liam Duggan leading the way.
They still had opportunities but missed gilt-edged opportunities. Aaron Naughton and Sam Lloyd missed set shots they would have considered shots they should have kicked.
The Bulldogs turned the game on its ear with a dominant second quarter, with Mitch Wallis looking lively up forward and the likes of Caleb Daniel and Marcus Bontempelli leading the charge.
Daniel was the most influential player on the ground, using the ball with great efficiency.
Unfortunately for the Eagles they lost midfielder Mark Hutchings to a hamstring strain just before half time, adding another layer of complexity to the task for the Eagles of reversing the trend. Already without Naitauni, captain Luke Shuey and Elliot Yeo, it was going to be a tough haui despite scores being level at the main break.
The Eagles kicked the first goal since deep in the first quarter when Sheed snapped around the body to give his team a five-point advantage.
Wallis then got one out the back to wrestle back the advantage for his team and when Jack Darling kicked into the man ion the mark, searching for extra distance after taking a mark and needing to launch from outside the 50, the Dogs held a slender lead going into the final term.
The hero for the Eagles in the quarter was undoubtedly Ryan, who tried to set the Eagles alight with his speed and his skill, setting up numerous opportunities.
DETAILS
Western Bulldogs 03 3.8 4.10 6.13 49
West Coast Eagles 4.1 4.2 5.3 7.5 47
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Wallis 2; Lloyd, Bontempelli, Dunkley.
West Coast Eagles: Waterman, Kennedy 2; Ryan, Cole, Sheed.
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Daniel, Bontempelli. Macrae, Hunter, Wallis.
West Coast Eagles: Duggan, Waterman, Redden, Ryan, Gaff, Sheed..
INJURIES
West Coast Eagles: Nic Naitanui (back) replaced in selected team by Tom Hickey. Mark Hutchings (hamstring)
