Mixed day for Dogs as Demons get up by goal
WEST BULLDOGS V MELBOURNE NINE-POINTER GOALS BEST THE Western Bulldogs suffered a six-point loss to Melbourne in their opening preseason match, but more importantly, Bob Murphy got through unscathed.
The Bulldogs skipper moved well in his first game since suffering a serious knee injury in round three last year, playing the whole match and collecting 16 possessions.
The Demons impressed in the windy conditions at Whitten Oval yesterday, defeating a Dogs side containing 15 premiership players 0.14.8 (92) to 2.9.14 (86) in Simon Goodwin’s first game as senior coach.
Ex-Collinwgood forward Travis Cloke was also a big positive for the Dogs, but it wasn’t all good news for the reigning premiers.
Ruckman Jordan Rough- ead left the game with a right knee injury at quarter-time.
“There were some positives, definitely Bob coming back and having his first hitout ... it’s such a grind to come back from such a serious injury,” coach Luke Beveridge said.
“I walked in at about 12.30 and he was already here – it was like he was an Auskicker turning up and hoping he was the first one here to get a free can of Coke.
“I think he enjoyed it ... it’s good to get him through his first one.”
Roughead fell to the ground in pain and immediately signalled for the trainers as he was about to contest a ball up against Max Gawn in the centre of the ground.
He was able to limp from the field under his own steam and will need scans to determine the severity of the injury.
“It was a bit of a strange one ... he just went to run in and just before he jumped (he had pain) just behind the back of the knee,” Beveridge said. “They’ll assess that and let us know.
“It seemed pretty innocuous the way it happened.”
Cloke kicked a goal with his first possession as a Bulldog and competed well around the ground, taking eight marks and also kicking a super goal.
“He kicked the ball well,” Beveridge said.