The Western Bulldogs are daring to dream of a leap into the top four if they get the win over ladder-leaders Collingwood at a sold out Marvel Stadium on Friday night.
The Bulldogs (9-6, 105.2%) welcome back defender Ed Richards for the clash with the top-of-the table Magpies.
Collingwood meantime (13-2, 138.8%) have been hit by injury with Brody Mihocek and Brayden Maynard ruled out for Friday’s match.
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But in better news, Jordan de Goey returns for his first match in more than a month from suspension.
Dogs coach Luke Beveridge is adamant this is a must-win test for his side, who head in off back-to-back victories.
“Friday night lights and playing the ‘Pies – what another great opportunity,” Beveridge said on Thursday.
“We feel like beating Brisbane at Marvel … how dour we were and committed we were, it’s set us off on a pretty good path.
“If we can challenge the ‘Pies, that will give us some more belief.”
This match gets underway at 7.50pm AEST from Marvel Stadium.
Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 504) from 7pm AEST.
QUARTER-BY-QUARTER MATCH REPORT
There were no late changes for either side, with Anthony Scott (Bulldogs) and Trent Bianco (Magpies) named the starting subs.
It was the Bulldogs first on the board through Cody Weightman who took an uncontested mark inside 50.
It’s the first time in nine weeks Collingwood haven’t kicked the first goal of their match.
Then one of the most bizarre moments of the season came when former Magpie, now Dog Caleb Poulter took off in the wrong direction in hilarious scenes.
“He thought he was out and off!” commentator Brian Taylor laughed.
“He couldn’t believe how easy he had it.
“He forgot (who he was playing for)!”
Matthew Richardson added it was simply “muscle memory” for Poulter – who only landed at the Bulldogs in the Mid-Season Draft.
“He was playing for Collingwood!” he laughed.
“Boy, he’ll never live that down.”
Commentator James Brayshaw described the scenes at Marvel Stadium as “unbelievable and extraordinary”.
“He didn’t understand why Collingwood weren’t chasing him,” Luke Hodge added.
But while Poulter’s moment had many laughing, Magpies coach Craig McRae wasn’t one of them as the Dogs piled on two more goals against the best-starting side in the competition.
It took almost 20 minutes of game time before Jamie Elliott could get Collingwood on the scoreboard as the Dogs ran hot.
Despite the Magpies owning the territory late in the first term, they dropped just their fifth opening quarter of the season, to trail 19-10 at the first change.
It was the Bulldogs who came out of the break blazing as first Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and then Aaron Naughton extended their lead.
Naughton was particularly impressed with his efforts as he flew high for a big contested mark – and give himself a fist pump on the landing.
But when Tim English let Ash Johnson have a free jump on the goal line, the Magpie was able to reduce the margin to 15 points from an “unmissable” spot.
Again it was Ugle-Hagan who continued to stamp his mark as the Dogs’ number one target in attack.
“He is owning this forward line at the moment, Ugle-Hagan,” Taylor praised.
Just as the Dogs appeared to taking control, Jamie Elliott snapped truly – despite some late pressure from Alex Keath that arguably should have cost the defender a 50m penalty.
“He’s not in the play and he’s come and interfered!” Hodge lamented.
“He’s played silly to the umpire.”
The Magpies kicked the final three goals of the quarter to ensure they went into half time trailing by just five points – 41-36.
It took just over a minute for Collingwood to hit the lead for the first time in the night when Jordan de Goey nailed his snap from the tight angle.
Nick Daicos adding a ripping goal after working hard to get on the end of it from the wing.
When Darcy Moore was penalised for wrapping an arm around Ugle-Hagan, the Magpies skipper could only manage a wry smile as the Dog’s shot fell short – and he marked it on the goal line.
Everything was going Collingwood’s way in the third as Josh Daicos added a ripping goal.
But the biggest applause was saved for former skipper Scott Pendlebury when he broke the all-time AFL disposals record.
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