THE WESTERN Bulldogs have narrowly lost their second match of the NAB Cup, falling to Collingwood at Sydney's Blacktown Sportspark on Saturday night.
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In humid, greasy conditions, the teams could only manage seven goals between them as the Magpies won 0.4.2 (26) to 0.3.1 (19).
Both clubs suffered injury concerns in the opening half, with Dog Ryan Griffen (hip) and Magpie Brent Macaffer (knee) subbed off.
Collingwood then finished slightly stronger than the Bulldogs, who had earlier beaten GWS by five points.
From the free flowing excitement of the first game, dour defence-oriented football featured in the second.
While many new names appeared, the principles remained the same for the Pies and Dogs: close down space, get numbers around the ball and run hard forward when in possession.
Having been pressed in the first game, the Bulldogs were much harder at the ball second time around and tested Collingwood's renowned defence.
Robert Murphy added some skilful delivery out of defence but his team was let down with delivery forward of centre. It wasn't only the kickers however. Their options up forward were limited.
Matthew Boyd kicked a goal when he had the better of Simon Buckley in a one on one duel after Collingwood had left the fat side of the ground exposed while six players milled around the interchange bench. As a result of the Magpies' confusion, the Bulldogs split the Magpies open with a fast break that was impossible to defend.
Chris Dawes squared the game up after running on to a loose ball that flipped over the back but both sides were struggling to find any fluency. The Magpies were two-tiered, with their young players battling hard but relying on their quality players to move the ball with purpose.
Whenever Luke Ball was off, Boyd dominated the clearances. It appeared he had the better of Dane Swan but last year's Brownlow medallist is too smart to not have an impact. He pounced on a loose ball inside 50 and ran into an open goal. In the end Swan had 11 touches to Boyd's 20.
The Dogs kept coming and when Daniel Giansiracusa snapped a goal the difference was only one behind. Collingwood went man on man, got busy around the packs and the impressive Marley Williams put the result out of reach for the Bulldogs with a long goal, his second for the half.
In the end the brilliance of Boyd was not enough to overcome the quality and quantity of Collingwood's midfielders.
The siren went with the Magpies seven points in front.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 0.1.6 0.3.1 (19)
COLLINGWOOD 0.1.8 0.4.2 (26)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Boyd, Giansiracusa, Jones
Collingwood: Williams 2, Dawes, Swan
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Boyd, Murphy, Picken, Cross
Collingwood: Thomas, Buckley, Toovey, Sidebottom, Swan
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Griffen (hip)
Collingwood: Macaffer (knee)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Grun, Ryan, Harris
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
