From the Sunday Age
Reported by Brent Diamond
Full article Click here
WESTERN Bulldogs forward Robert Murphy looks set to return to senior football after getting through his first game of football in Williamstown's 62-point smashing of Collingwood yesterday at Visy Park.
The 26-year-old had 10 touches on return from a shoulder operation over the pre-season but his performance was overshadowed by the impressive form of Guy O'Keefe, who snared five goals and collected 34 disposals in the 21.11 (137) to 11.9 (75) win.
Then there was enigmatic Richmond forward Jay Schulz's seven-goal heroics for the Coburg Tigers in their 74-point thrashing of Geelong. Meanwhile, reigning Frosty Miller medallist Nick Sautner booted six goals to give Sandringham an all-conquering start to the season to hold off a gritty Frankston by 30 points.
Murphy told The Sunday Age he hopes to be back in the Bulldogs line-up next week, but "it will depend on the match committee … if I need another run here, I'll do that.
"It wasn't one of my classics but I was just happy to chip in and help these guys get a win."
The raw ability of father-son selection Ayce Cordy was evident during the game as he impressed with fine aerial skills around the ground.
"I think the more he plays, the better he's getting," said Seagulls coach Brad Gotch. "We're using him through the ruck and the midfield, which we haven't done all pre-season, so he's starting to get used to it."
Wayde Skipper, Sam Reid and Williamstown-listed Ben Davies also impressed in the Seagulls onslaught to win their first match of the season.
The wheels looked shaky early for Williamstown, with the Magpies shooting to a five-goal lead at the first change through the brilliance of Chris Bryan and Chris Dawes, both snaring two each up forward.
But the Seagulls made their mark in the second quarter through courageous play from Brett Johnson, and hard tackling from Davies and Andrejs Everitt. But it was O'Keefe who arrived on the scene whenever the cause demanded. He was heavily involved in a seven consecutive goal burst to give Williamstown a 15-point lead at the main break.
Chris Egan with three goals was exceptional up forward against his former team and Matthew Little snared four to keep the Magpies at bay in the third term, for a 32-point lead at the last change, before some Skipper brilliance sealed the deal.
Across town at ABD Group Stadium in Coburg, the Tigers ran the Cats off their feet with the dash of assistant coach Tim Clarke a standout, and Richard Tambling putting his hand up for a reprieve.
David Johnson and Nathan Djerkurra were the best for the Cats.
But it was the Zebras win against the Dolphins that was the most impressive result.
The Zebras took a stranglehold on the match in the third term with four goals to two, Saint Ben McEvoy putting in a best-on-ground performance ahead of David Gallagher.
