Page 54 - AFL Queensland 2015 Year in Review

BULLDOGS STORM HOME TO CLAIM CAIRNS THRILLER
The Western Bulldogs came from 37 points down in the third qua er to beat Gold Coast by 22 points in a thriller in Cairns.
The Bulldogs kicked just four goals across the first three qua ers but rallied late to add 10 in the last term and snatch the 14.11 (95) to 11.7 (73) result at Cazaly’s Stadium, in front of 9,449.
An upset appeared likely with
the Suns dominant early but the momentum shi ed a er half- time with the Bulldogs eventually rewarded for e o when Jake Stringer gave them the lead for the first time towards the business end of the last qua er, delighting the crowd of 9449.
Liam Picken racked up a game-high 37 touches and nine tackles while keeping Suns skipper Gary Able relatively quiet, and Jack Macrae’s love a air with Cairns continued with a haul of 33 possessions.
Jack Redpath kicked three goals while Marcus Bontempelli, Luke Dahlhaus, Michael Talia and Stringer booted two each.
But the win came at a cost, with midfielder Koby Stevens taken to hospital in an ambulance for X-rays on his ribs a er a second-qua er collision.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge was a frustrated man as his side wasted numerous oppo unities to close the gap but heaped praise on his players for their remarkable turnaround.
“Out of a really ordinary opening, we turned it into a pre y significant night for the football club and for our team,” Beveridge said a er the 14.11 (95) to 11.7 (73) result, their fou h win in a row.
“We didn’t capitalise on our third qua er though, and I was just worried at three-qua er time we’d used up all our ammunition.
“For our players to continue to come on in that last qua er and do what we did was obviously outstanding.”
Instead of coasting to a second consecutive win - which looked probable for most of the night - Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade was le to rue his side’s fitness failings.
“I was surprised at their standards, surprised at their fitness levels a bit at the sta of the year,” Eade said.
“We’ve improved a bit.
“But you could just see it in the end. We just really couldn’t cover the ground.
“It’s a game that we could have, should have won.”
Gold Coast was also forced to
use its substitution at qua er- time following an injury to key forward Charlie Dixon, who landed awkwardly on his ankle in a first term marking contest.
He shrugged o trainers in an a empt to play on but the 24-year- old couldn’t overcome the injury and went straight to the change rooms when taken from the ground.
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