Demons defeat Dogs in Cup opener

Melbourne   69 defeated Western Bulldogs   63

Melbourne took their first step towards claiming the inaugural NAB Cup title with a tight one-goal victory over raging-hot favourites the Western Bulldogs at Darwin’s Marrara Oval this evening.

The Dees had to overcome a third-term fight-back from a persistent Bulldogs outfit, before holding on to win a thrilling encounter, (0.9.15.69) to the Bulldogs’ (1.7.12.63).

The mercurial Russell Robertson was clearly the best for the winners, kicking 3 crucial goals to help propel his team to victory, while the ever-present Aaron Davey chipped in with a few goals early in the piece to give his side the ascendancy for the majority of the opening half.

For the Bulldogs, Daniel Giansiracusa came up with 24 disposals in a stellar performance, while goal-kicking spearhead Robert Murphy chipped in with 4 goals, yet another dominant display from the ever-improving 23 year-old.

The Western Bulldogs went into the game with a full-strength side, while Melbourne were missing key stars such as David Neitz, Jeff White and Cameron Bruce. The Dees decided to blood 8 novices in their line-up tonight, on a tropical Darwin evening with 26 players used by each side.

The new rules were imposed for the first time tonight, with the umpires promising a tougher stance on taggers, as well as the new rule with regards to the kick-ins, which can now be taken whenever the kicker is prepared, as opposed to having to wait for the goal umpire’s signal. This, along with all the usual fun associated with pre-season cup games, contributed to a great spectacle on an otherwise unbearable evening weather-wise.

It was all Melbourne in the opening stages, with whiz kid Aaron Davey snaring the opening two goals of the match. The Dees went on to kick two of the next three and had a commanding lead early on.

Melbourne went into quarter-time 18 points in front and in the conditions it was a gap the Bulldogs were going to have to work hard to bridge.

The Dogs needed a spark and it was the crafty Robert Murphy who provided it, kicking two goals in the second term to go with his super-goal in the opening term, and the Dogs clawed their way back into the match with Melbourne looking susceptible to the heat. The Dees held a 17-point lead at the main break.

The Bulldogs dragged the lead back to just 10 points early in the third term, with Murphy pulling out his bag of tricks once again with a superb finish from 45 metres out. Further goals to Will Minson and Giansiracusa midway through the third term ensured that the locals were in for a cracker of a final term, with the Bulldogs advancing to a 5-point lead at the final change.

Torrential rain hit at the start of the last term, with Darwin’s wet-season setting in on Marrara Oval. The Demons finished strongly with a 3-goal final quarter, which proved too big a target for the Bulldogs to overcome.

Scores were locked at 63 a piece for the majority of the final term, with Melbourne’s Russell Robertson drilling the final goal to seal the victory, Melbourne running out victors (0.9.15.69) to the Bulldogs’ (1.7.12.63).

The Demons will now play the Brisbane Lions in the quarter finals, who accounted for Essendon in a tight finish tonight on the Gold Coast. The match will be held at the Telstra Dome next Friday night.

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