Skinner soars as Dockers dive - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Skinner soars as Dockers dive

05/03/2011 11:34:10 PM Comments (0)

The Zephaniah Skinner-inspired Western Bulldogs claimed another AFL pre-season scalp on Saturday, easing past Fremantle by 30 points in a see-sawing contest at Hands Oval in Bunbury.

In an impressive display by Rodney Eade's largely second string side, the Dogs gave another indication last year's preliminary finalists will have the depth to challenge for the flag this year.

Skinner, a bargain pick in last year's national draft at No.88, was the star of the show with his impressive movement and aerial ability yielding a game-high four goals in the 14.14 (98) to 9.14 (68) victory.

An experienced Fremantle line-up burst out of the blocks, kicking five unanswered goals to lead by 34 points at quarter time.

Taking advantage of a strong breeze at their backs in the first term, the Dockers were led by a dominant performance by Aaron Sandilands in the ruck, who kicked the first goal of the game in a bouncing effort from outside 60m.

The inexperienced Bulldogs line-up struggled getting the ball out of their back half, with the Fremantle players employing an effective press.

Ryan Crowley presented as a good target up forward for Fremantle and ended the quarter with two goals to his name.

But if the first quarter was one-way traffic the Dockers' way, the second was the opposite, with the Dogs piling on five unanswered goals of their own to claw their way in front.

Skinner continued to show the way up forward, bagging two early goals in an all-action display, with Patrick Veszpremi and Josh Hill up forward also netting goals.

When Mitch Hahn goaled on the run from just inside 50m, he put the Bulldogs in front just before half-time as the Dogs took a 10-point lead into the break.

Despite an impressive early goal on the run from outside the paint by Fremantle's Rhys Palmer, the Bulldogs tightened up their defence in the third term, with the Dockers struggling to create many clear cut chances.

Michael Johnson goaled to wrest the lead back and Crowley chimed in with his third, but the Dogs' tactic of clogging up their defensive 50m zone worked to good effect.

Fremantle second-half substitute Nat Fyfe showed no signs of rustiness after being kept in cotton wool for the pre-season, impressing through the midfield.

But the Dockers' 13-point lead didn't look enough and so it proved, with final-quarter goals to Jason Tutt and Skinner (two each), Andrew Hooper, Josh Hill and Will Minson securing the comfortable win for the Dogs.

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