Collingwood vs Western Bulldogs Round 1 Finals - Qualifying Final

Описание: Collingwood vs Western Bulldogs Round 1 Finals - Qualifying Final.
All match highlights with goals.
COLLINGWOOD has marched into a preliminary final after belting the Western Bulldogs by 62 points at the MCG on Saturday night.

The Magpies proved far too good for the Bulldogs in their qualifying final, taking control in the first half before cruising to victory 17.22 (124) to 8.14 (62).

However the win may have come at a cost, with midfield improver Sharrod Wellingham suffering an ankle injury.

Other than that injury blow, it was pretty much all good news for the black and white, despite Mick Malthouse's team once again being plagued by goal-kicking yips.

Collingwood, as has been its hallmark in 2010, again spread its goals and had a wealth of contributors.

Dane Swan (39 disposals and three goals) and Scott Pendlebury (30 and two goals) were the best as they dominated the middle while captain Nick Maxwell played the loose man role superbly in defence.

Ryan Griffen was outstanding for the Dogs despite going into the match under an injury cloud, with 34 touches and two goals. Robert Murphy provided drive from half back, while Daniel Cross also tried hard.

But it was a pretty dirty night for the Bulldogs, with forward Barry Hall even being reported for abusive language in the second term.

"It was a good performance," Malthouse said after his team's big win.

"We played a good football side; we played four quarters of footy, [we had] good contributors in most areas which is nice and handy.

"The thing about it is we've been able to put 22 out there that have been highly competitive whenever they've played ... I just think that they're holding up."

Early, the Bulldogs started well but couldn't hit the scoreboard despite enjoying the bulk of possession in the opening 10 minutes.

Pendlebury came off the bench and kicked the game's first 13 minutes in, and from there the Pies grew in confidence.

Collingwood only managed 3.6 in the opening term but by the first break had a 19-point lead.

Mitch Hahn took advantage of a 50m penalty to get the Dogs on the board a few minutes into the second, and his team did manage back-to-back goals later in the term, but most of the footy was being played in the Pies' half.

Collingwood was wasteful in the second quarter but dominated play, booting 4.9 to 3.2 and its 32-point break at the long change should have been more.

Still, it didn't matter.

The Pies booted four goals to two in the third term and then, with Alan Didak booting one of the goals of the year, rubbed salt into the wound in the final term as Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade started to rest players in preparation for next week.

While Collingwood now advances to a preliminary final against the winner of next week's Geelong-Fremantle clash, the Bulldogs will next week be fighting for their season in a cut-throat semi-final against the winner of Sunday's Sydney Swans-Carlton clash at the MCG.

"Now we've just got to get the mental state right for next week," Eade said after the loss.

"We can't look backwards. We can't change the result so it's about now, this far into a season, getting the team right for next week.

"Next Saturday night is the next battle we've got to look at. There's no good pouring over tonight."

Collingwood 3.6 7.15 11.18 17.22 (124)
Western Bulldogs 0.5 3.7 5.11 8.14 (62)

GOALS
Collingwood: Swan 3, Sidebottom 3, L. Brown 2, Didak 2, Pendlebury 2, Cloke, Thomas, Dawes, Davis, Jolly
Western Bulldogs: Griffen 2, Hall 2, Higgins 2, Hahn, Giansiracusa

BEST
Collingwood: Swan, Maxwell, Pendlebury, Thomas, O'Brien, Ball
Western Bulldogs: Griffen, Murphy, Hudson, Gilbee, Cross

INJURIES
Collingwood: Wellingham (foot)
Western Bulldogs: Ward (elbow), Lake (arm)

Reports: Hall (Western Bulldogs) for using abusive language towards umpire Nicholls in the second quarter.

Umpires: Vozzo, Nicholls, Chamberlain

Official crowd: 66,545 at the MCG