Herald Sun
The Dogs fielded a dramatically different and much younger backline to the one which won four games in September to pinch last year’s flag.
Defence was the cornerstone of their success — the tackling pressure and selfless attitude.
But Joel Hamling left, Marcus Adams is done for the year and last night there was no Easton Wood or Jason Johannisen. And the Giants took full advantage.
The back end is far more vulnerable this year. At three-quarter time the Giants had kicked 13 goals from 28 entries inside 50m. That’s an alarming success rate.
- Jay Clark
AFL Media
The Dogs turned the weight of momentum their way in the second quarter. Luke Beveridge's men were able to close down the Giants' run and space, but still trailed by four points at the main break after an incredibly wasteful display.
Beveridge's men registered 22 inside-50s for the quarter but could manage just 3.6 on the scoreboard. The Giants, just as remarkably, went inside their attacking forward arc just four times but kicked three goals.
If nothing else, the quarter was a reminder of the Dogs' capacity to hunt. They entered the clash on a four-game winning streak, but had not been in the type of form that rocketed them to their breakthrough flag last year. The second quarter was a step towards that.
But the Giants flexed their muscles in the third term to establish what went on to be a match-winning lead.
- Callum Twomey
Fox Sports
In the second quarter, the home side ramped up the intensity, with their relentless pressure and focus on the contest a highlight.
And it started from the middle, with Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore and Mitch Wallis thrown into the centre.
And the Dogs’ main man took control.
At half time, Bontempelli had 11 disposals, six contested possessions and five clearances to his name.
But those weren’t the most important statistics.
To go with his work around the contest, Bontempelli’s elite kicking gave the Bulldogs’ forward line a genuine opportunity to have an impact. The midfielder tracked at 90.9 per cent disposal efficiency, recorded six inside-50s and had a further two goal assists.
- Anna Harrington
The Age
The Bulldogs are still in the finals hunt but could fall as low as 10th by the end of the round if results do not fall their way. This was not the performance of a genuine flag contender.
The Dogs were coming off a four-game winning streak but had not met an adversary as well credentialled as the Giants.
There were plenty of similarities to their drubbing in Adelaide, where they were competitive early but blown away late.
The Dogs were outmuscled in the middle, lacked bite in attack and their defence, missing Marcus Adams, Dale Morris and Easton Wood, was no match for the Giants forwards.
- Andrew Wu
