REJOICE Western Bulldogs fans. The first premiership win of any sort for 40 years was lapped up by adoring fans as they celebrated taking out the NAB Cup on Saturday.
Click below to view our three picture galleries from the big night.
Western Bulldogs premiership: Click here for picture gallery 1 of 3.
Western Bulldogs premiership: Click here for picture gallery 2 of 3.
Western Bulldogs premiership: Click here for picture gallery 3 of 3.
WESTERN Bulldogs ended a 40-year silverware hoodoo on Saturday night when they defeated St Kilda by 40 points in the NAB Cup final on the back of a seven-goal performance from its new marquee man, Barry Hall.
While it may not have been an AFL event worthy of blockbuster billing, the script proved to be pure Hollywood for the long-suffering Doggie faithful as man-of-the-match Hall snapped and snarled his way around the Bulldog forward fifty in an inspired effort that included a brilliant five-goal last quarter.
The ex-Swan has now snagged 17 goals in three games of the pre-season tournament to cap a dream start for his new club that overcame St Kilda 2.13.8(104) to 0.9.10(64).
For those faithful Doggies with a hazy memory, it was the first grand final appearance, and win, since Footscray triumphed in the old night competition in 1970.
It was a first half of fluctuating form for the sentimental favourites, with an opening-quarter blitz tempered by a swift Saints fightback.
The Bulldogs jumped out of the gates with two quick goals to Hall, while ball-magnet Matthew Boyd was prolific through the middle. Despite the promising start, the dark memories of last season’s preliminary final briefly came flooding back as the Dogs dominated early possession only to falter in front of goal.
Nerves were settled somewhat when Andrejs Everitt hacked a goal out of mid-air on the run and the Dogs moved ahead by 22 points at the first change.
But as is so often the case, it was the St Kilda skipper who stood up for his side when it was needed. Riewoldt’s hard-running and aerial prowess was proving too much for chief Bulldog negator Dale Morris and slowly the Saints crawled back to within touching distance approaching three-quarter-time.
But a three-goal surge from the Dogs in three minutes — including a nine-pointer to Shaun Higgins — halted Saints’ momentum and even though Riewoldt escaped Morris’ clutches to kick his fourth, the Dogs edged ahead.
And so the stage was set for Hall to put his name up in lights with a last-quarter masterclass. All the rapturous Bulldog fans could do was chant the name of their new saviour and revel in the joy of some well-earned silverware. Hall’s only blemish on the night was a collision with teammate Mitch Hahn that resulted in a fractured eye socket for the latter.
Well, nobody’s perfect. Not even Barry.
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