Eagles edging Dockers, Lions in control
Western golden goose sneakers rivals West Coast and Fremantle are putting on a show in their clash at Subiaco Oval, with the Eagles leading by just four points at half-time.
Dean Cox and Michael Gardiner had booted two apiece for the Eagles as they went in the long change leading 7.4 (46) to 6.6 (42).
Jeff Farmer booted two goals for the Dockers before being stretchered off the field with a back injury which threatens to derail his finals campaign.
Meanwhile, Brisbane held a commanding 49-point lead at three-quarter time in their clash with cellar dwellers the Western Bulldogs at Docklands.
The reigning premiers, aiming to sew up third spot on the ladder going into the finals series, cruised to a 19.8 (122) to https://www.goldengoosesneaker.us/ 11.7 (73) advantage going into the final quarter.EaglesThe Dockers started the better of the two sides in the western derby at Subiaco Oval as they kicked the first three majors of the match.
The Eagles finally kicked their first 20 minutes in, and followed it with two others to draw level.
Jeff Farmer then appeared to injure his back as the clock counted down to the first change.
He contested the ball and hit the ground in an awkward fashion, resulting in him being stretchered off the field.
Justin Longmuir then snapped a goal from 15 metres out to put the Dockers back in front.
The Eagles then received a set shot courtesy of an indiscretion by Des Headland, but a wayward kick looked like going through for a behind before Ashley Sampi marked it in the goal square.
He duly slotted it through to put his side back on level pegging at quarter time.
Michael Gardiner received a free kick early in the second term after being pushed in the back and knocked through his second from 50 metres out to put the Eagles in the lead.
Fremantle wasted golden opportunities to assert some authority on the match in the second term, kicking three straight behinds.
Gardiner then marked from 51 metres out and had a chance to kick another, but sprayed it across the face of goal.
The Eagles were made to pay as Aaron Sandilands put the Dockers in front with his first.
The Dockers then turned up the heat, with Paul Hasleby contesting well in tight conditions and the ball ending up in the hands of Paul Medhurst, who extended his team’s lead to eight points.
Phillip Matera then pulled the Eagles back within two of the Dockers, as West Coast kicked its fourth goal from free kicks in the match.
Dean Cox then put them back in front with his second of the match.LionsAshley McGrath, deputising for the injured Craig McRae, has five for the Lions, while Alastair Lynch and Shaun Hart have kicked four apiece.
The Lions were dealt a blow in the first quarter with Brad Scott stretchered off with what appeared to be a serious ankle injury.
Scott writhed around on the ground in agony after falling awkwardly and would take no further part in the match.
The Lions gained the early ascendancy in the match with the first two goals before the Dogs notched their first 10 minutes in.
The league’s bottom side looked anything else as the pressured the Lions with some slick play and quick goals, before Brisbane regained their dominance with four unanswered goals to take a 19-point lead into the first change.
The Bulldogs kicked the first major of the second quarter before the Lions asserted their authority on the match, booting six more goals for the quarter to take a commanding lead.
The Dogs managed only three goals in the second quarter, but were better in the third quarter, at one stage kicking four goals before the Lions powered home to end the quarter.
Luke Darcy has four goals for the Dogs.