Third quarter
Key plays
Luke Dahlhaus continued to put on a masterclass, finding the first goal of the second half - his third for the day.
The Bulldogs continued to produce scoring shots, with Will Minson taking a mark inside 50 for a behind, followed by Bob Murphy who finished with a classy goal.
The defensive pressure in the Bulldogs back half also lifted, making it very hard for the opposition to move the ball as efficiently in the second half.
Tory Dickson kicked his second from the sharpest of angles on the boundary, after being rewarded a free kick from a push in the back to extend the Bulldogs lead to two goals.
An quick goal to Eagles Jamie Cripps saw them back within one point before Jason Tutt kicked a poster for a behind.
Lachie Hunter followed up seconds later but his shot also hit the post, before Jarrad Grant finally found one for the board, extending the margin to 13 points in the Bulldogs favour.
From the next contest Dahlhaus continued to provide the spark in the Bulldogs forward line, evading an opponent and then finding the big sticks to equal his personal best return of four goals in a game.
West Coast kicked their first goal in almost ten minutes through Josh Kennedy but the ball quickly found its way back into the Bulldogs attacking zone with a shot on goal to Matthew Boyd touched on the line.
Player of the quarter
Veteran Bob Murphy has been a standout in defence and across the wing, providing plenty of run and leading by example. The Dogs main ball winner with 25 disposals at 84% efficiency, four rebound 50s, three inside 50s, five one percenters and a goal. Murphy has particularly stood up when under mounting pressure from the Eagles managed to steady the ship on a number of occasions.
Statistical snapshot
- Ryan Griffen found nine disposals in the third quarter
- The Bulldogs now lead the clearances 29 to 26
Progressive scores
Western Bulldogs 12. 10 (82) lead West Coast Eagles 10. 8. (60)
Fourth Quarter
Key Plays
The Bulldogs were quick to add to their 14 point buffer with Jarrad Grant taking a quick snap shot on goal to extend the lead.
The Eagles produced a scoring shot from the next centre clearance but their shot on goal hit the post, but the Bulldogs capitalised on the opportunity finding their second goal of the term from Tory Dickson who found himself alone in an open goal square.
Jarrad Grant was on song, kicking his third goal for the game, when combining with Luke Dahlhaus who was attributed the score assist.
The Eagles made their final comeback through consecutive goals to Josh HIll, Brad Dalziell and Jack Darling.
An attempted reply through Dylan Addison drifted wide as the Bulldogs tried to create a more comfortable buffer.
Addison eventually found the goal he so desperately wanted with less than two minutes remaining on the clock to boost the Bulldogs lead to 21 points.
The intensity continued to build in the dying minutes with neither side willing to relinquish hope.
As the siren sounded ex-Eagle Koby Stevens put through the Bulldogs final score, although only a behind as the Bulldogs secured their fifth win of the season.
Player of the quarter
It was an unlikely candidate in Jarrad Grant that lifted in the fourth quarter to produce his best return of the season. The 23-year-old proved highly dangerous in the forward line, kicking three goals as well as two goal assists. His ability to create a marking contest and ongoing drive to apply consistent pressure and run was most pleasing. He finished with 16 disposals at 100% efficiency and six marks (three inside 50).
Statistical snapshot
- The Bulldogs had four multiple goal scorers in Luke Dahlhaus (four), Tory Dickson (three), Jarrad Grant (three) and Dylan Addison (two)
- Adam Cooney and Ryan Griffen were the main possesison winners with 30 apiece, Tom Liberatore, Luke Dahlhaus and Robert Murphy had 29 while Koby Stevens managed 28 in front of his old side
- Will Minson may not have bettered Dean Cox in the ruck but he found eight clearances, Griffen had eight, Cooney had five, Mitch Wallis had four and Liberatore and Matthew Boyd both had three.
Final Scores
Western Bulldogs 16. 15. (111) defeats West Coast Eagles 13. 11. (89)
