Updated June 17, 2012 19:59:10
Western Bulldogs remembered the late Charlie Sutton in the best possible fashion with a 38-point victory over Port Adelaide at Docklands in Sunday's twilight fixture.
Sutton, who was captain/coach of the Bulldogs' sole premiership in 1954, passed away last week at the age of 88, and the club showed its respect on the field with the 13.17 (95) to 8.9 (57) triumph.
Robert Murphy's brilliance by foot provided a rare highlight in the largely mediocre clash that attracted only 16,036 fans.
For the Bulldogs it was a reasonably successful day as they recorded their fifth win from 11 outings, while Port slumped to a 4-8 record ahead of next week's bye.
The Bulldogs' Brian Lake hoped the win would serve as a memory for the legendary Sutton.
"He preached that players for the Bulldogs needed heart and I think we did that today," he told Grandstand.
Lake refused to speculate about whether the Bulldogs are eyeing off a finals berth, explaining there are too many other teams in the mix for a bottom four spot in the top eight.
"It's a tough draw, there are a lot of sides around that mark pushing for ... the eighth spot in the finals, so for us we are a young group and we are developing," he said.
"I know it's an old cliche and I hate saying it, but we've just got to worry about next week."
Seventh-gamer Tory Dickson kicked a game-high four goals while half-back Murphy (32 disposals) and midfielders Matthew Boyd (34) and Mitch Wallis (29) were in tremendous form, with Murphy showing dazzling skills.
Key forward Jay Schulz scored three goals for Port despite an ongoing rib problem and Kane Cornes and Matthew Broadbent were busy in midfield.
The Bulldogs had 20 inside-50 entries to Port's seven in the opening term but failed to make it count on the scoreboard, kicking 3.6 (24) to the visitors' 1.0 (6).
Port's determination was typified by Schulz's two second-term goals as the visitors scored three goals to the Bulldogs' two.
The home side clung to a 12-point advantage at half-time, powered by a combined tally of 40 possessions to Murphy and Boyd.
Port subbed off Jacob Surjan in the third quarter after a head knock earlier in the game and Hamish Hartlett limped off with a hamstring complaint, while Paul Stewart played on after having a leg injury heavily strapped.
The Bulldogs stretched their lead to 34 points early in the final term and Port suffered another blow as the undisciplined Brent Renouf was taken off briefly by coach Matthew Primus for sparking a series of off-the-ball clashes.
Dickson added two goals to his tally in the final term as the Bulldogs outscored Port four goals to one.
Bulldogs champions including George Bisset, Terry Wallace, John Schultz, Ray Walker, Doug Hawkins, Tony McGuinness and Chris Grant formed a guard of honour as the players ran onto the field on Sunday to pay tribute to Sutton, who captain-coached the Bulldogs to their only VFL/AFL premiership in 1954.
The Bulldogs host Brisbane at Dockland on Saturday.
Western Bulldogs: 13.17 (95) - Dickson 4, Cordy 2, Giansiracusa, Cooney, Griffen, Higgins, Roughead, Jones, Dahlhaus
Port Adelaide: 8.9 (57) - Schulz 3, Brett Ebert 2, Brad Ebert, Broadbent, Moore
ABC/AAP
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australia First posted June 17, 2012 19:11:05
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