Dead Dog Rubber

A tale of two clubs. One buoyed by pre season enthusiasm is bolted to its fate by the Presidential proclamation that the Dogs MUST make the Grand Final which seals Rocket Eades death warrant when the club fails to make the finals.

While imploding on injury, lateness to implement the press and a lack of form, off field tensions simmer as a new board assembles to challenge and the Footscray not Western Bulldogs mensheviks takes up barricades behind the West Footscray station.

The other club, unexpectedly finish strongly despite serious injuries to key position spine players to make the finals and resign their coach despite constant proclamations that it can wait til the end of the season. They announce a new away strip for the final round about Gold Coast suns and appear on the edge of a new dynasty.

So we come to this dead rubber where the most interest lays in whether Buddy can seal the Coleman with a well time timed about a young Dog defence. He doesn’t disappointed with a baulk and goal on 50 and then another. He misses 4 and could have finished with ten. Bazza Hall works over Gibbo in the first half and slots a lazy 3 goals. Hawks drop a man back in the second half and the Hall flood dries up. Its a sloppy game with a few highlights from Cyril and Buddy. Nice to see Michael “The Osbourne” back in the side too trying to take hangers and giving us some run around those flanks. Brent “The Return of Martin” Guerra bobs up for a goal from fitty proving theres plenty of power in those big thick legs. About the only negative is the constant stick that Hawk fans give to Cameron Bruce for even the slightest fumble, dropped mark, failure to shepherd, poor disposal, poor decision making, missed handball, failure to read the ball off the bounce, wearing Tucky’s old number or just for needing the lads from Advance Hair, yeah yeah.

Its streaming sun, there is no wind, the light is golden and the grass is also luminescent. Its nearly September, nearly finals time and the Hawks do enough to push on through to the greater quest that awaits. Bring on the Finals!!!!

Hawthorn 16 17 113 d Western Bulldogs 10 7 67