Western Bulldogs pick up their first win in nine months after squeezing past Hawthorn in a NAB Cup thriller.
Koby Stevens pumps the fists after kicking a goal against Hawthorn. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
A LAST term supergoal to Clay Smith helped to lift the Western Bulldogs to a gritty one-point NAB Cup win over Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium last night.
A dominant performance from Lance Franklin looked to have guaranteed the Hawks their first win of the pre-season when his fifth goal of the night pushed his team out to a 15-point lead at the nine-minute-mark of the final term.
But the Dogs were not to be denied as they fought to stay in the match, first with a clever goal to Luke Dahlhaus followed by a long bomb from Smith at the 16-minute-mark that gave his team a one-point margin.
Jordan Lewis had the chance to put his side in front again, but his left foot shot missed and only served to level the scores.
Luke Dahlhaus dances and weaves out of trouble Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun
A mark and subsequent behind to Liam Jones at the other end gave the Bulldogs the lead once more and it was enough to record their first win of the pre-season while keeping last year's Grand Final runner-up without a win so far in three games.
Franklin's performance was a clear standout, and he almost singlehandedly lifted his team to a win before the small 8162 fans who attended the game.
Sporting a handlebar moustache and seemingly a more deliberate, hunched over run-up approach to goal, Franklin booted five goals - including a breathtaking super goal from 60m - to keep the Hawks ticking over.
Jake Stringer enjoys a goal late in the 3rd qtr Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun
But almost from the outset the Bulldogs demonstrated that they were going to much more switched on than their efforts against Collingwood and Essendon a fortnight ago.
They kicked the first three goals of the game, with Robert Murphy slotting through the first to give them the perfect start.
Ryan Griffen made the most of a slip-up kick in from Brent Guerra to slot through the Bulldogs' second goal.
Lance Franklin in full flight. Source: Getty Images
Jason Johannisen took the Dogs out to a three-goal lead into time-on after some fine teamwork from Tom Liberatore and Daniel Cross.
It could have been a greater lead if Jones had managed to convert his strong mark into straight kicks.
A lapse in concentration from the Bulldogs in the dying minutes of the term allowed Franklin to be loose just before quarter-time.
Luke Breust is tackled by Brett Goodes. Source: Getty Images
Franklin cooly slotted the ball through to make the difference 12 points at the first change.
And he wasn't about to leave it there.
A superbly weighted kick from Lewis to the leading Franklin in the goal square three minutes into the second term brought about the spearhead's second goal.
Nick Lower celebrates a goal with Koby Stevens. Source: Getty Images
Then he breathed life into the contest with a nine-pointer that had the small crowd on its feet.
The big Hawk looked ominous when he gathered the loose ball into the centre square - he shrugged off an opponent, took a bounce and stormed with a long ranging bomb.
By half-time, the Dogs had regained the lead by the barest of margins after a goal from just inside 50m from Koby Stevens.
Luke Breust gets tackled by Brett Goodes and Daniel Cross Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun
Franklin didn't kick the opening goal of the third term, but he started a chain of four handballs that resulted in an easy goal to Shane Savage.
And he set up Isaac Smith with a goal midway through the term.
The Hawks had kicked the first three goals of the third term, but the Dogs were not to be denied.
Bradley Hill shows Boyd and Griffin a clean pair of heels Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun
Goals to Brett Goodes and Liam Jones were impressive, but draftee Jake Stringer's first kick in Bulldogs colours resulted in a spectacular goal to regain the lead by a point just before three-quarter-time.
Unfortunately, Stringer didn't see much action in the fourth term as the 18-year-old limped from the field in the arms of the trainers.
Franklin kicked two more goals in the final term, but it was the hard working Smith - sometimes criticised for his use of the ball - who provded an unlikely hero with his super goal to lift the Dogs to a win.
BEST:
Hawthorn
Franklin, Mitchell, Smith, Suckling, Lewis, Simpkin,
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Boyd, Smith, Griffen, Minson, Roughead, Liberatore
HAWTHORN
YOUNG BLOOD
Liked the endeavour shown by defender Taylor Durea, who threw himself into every contest. The 21-year-old is working hard to earn his AFL debut this season. Jonathan Simpkin may be 25, but the former Cat looks to be a readymade player for the Hawks.
NEW TRICKS
Hard to go past David Hale and his new do. It might have slipped through to keeper a bit last week on the Gold Coast, but the truth was laid bare at Etihad Stadium. Hale has ditched the "rug" for the au naturale look.
SUPERCOACH
Can't go past the usual suspects in Buddy Franklin and Sam Mitchell, but might be worth also taking Isaac Smith ($384,100). Won plenty of the ball last night and can finish off when he has the ball in the attacking zone.
GLENN McFARLANE
WESTERN BULLDOGS
YOUNG BLOOD
Liam Jones took some really nice grabs, Ayce Cordy likewise. We won't be talking them up as world beaters anytime soon, but the towering youngsters could yet become the key forward who propel the Dogs into a successful new era.South African speedster Jason Johanissen also did some nice things and offers what the Bulldogs lack - linebreaking speed.
NEW TRICKS
At his third club, Nick Lower caught the eye in a tagging role. Uncompromising and tough, Lower locked on to Sam Mitchell last night and appears to have put Liam Picken out of a midfield job, with the son of Billy moved down back. He still won his share of possession too Lower, with nine disposals at half-time.Jordan Roughead will be given every chance to hold down a key defensive post. He was brave on Lance Franklin last night and did enough to suggest he could grow into the role.
SUPERCOACH
We know about the obvious Dogs candidates, but former Eagle Koby Stevens deserves a serious look. Making his debut for his new club, Stevens found the footy, kicked a goal and won plenty of the contested stuff. At $176,600 he's cheaper than most.
SAM EDMUND
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