New clubhouse leader for goal of the year
Even if you disregard the fact it won the match for the Bulldogs, Marcus Bontempelli's incredible snap for the pocket must be the new favourite for Goal of the Year. The first-year Bulldog spun out of traffic when surrounded by Demons and threw the ball on his right foot from what should have been an impossible angle. It floated through to give his team a six-point lead, which they hung on to. He also kicked the goal that levelled scores four minutes earlier, and took a game-saving mark. It was an incredible cameo from the tall midfielder.
Rushed behind howler
Early in the second quarter Demon Rohan Bail took possession 10m from his defensive goal and was tackled by opponent Jake Stringer, taking the ball over the line in the process. Umpire Jacob Mollison paid a free kick against the defender for a deliberate rushed behind, handing the Dogs a bonus goal. It was a controversial call that wasn't consistent with how the rule is interpreted, and the Demons remonstrated. Lynden Dunn was picked up on the umpire's microphone letting Mollison know where he thought the whistle blower would be umpiring next week. "You're in the twos next week, mate," he said.
RECAP: Read the match report and match highlights from the Western Bulldogs win over Melbourne.
Captain Will Minson
There have been two constants from the Dogs this season, Ryan Griffen as captain and Daniel Giansiracusa as the starting substitute. On Sunday coach Brendon McCartney had to innovate with both unavailable and the captaincy was decided with the flip of a coin between Minson and Shaun Higgins. Former skipper Matthew Boyd was playing – and he was outstanding with 32 possessions and nine clearances – but once the captaincy has been relinquished it's rarely handed back. Nathan Hrovat started in the green vest.
Midfield match-ups entertain
Before the match went up a gear in the second half, the value for spectators could be found in following three midfield match-ups that remained constant throughout. Mitch Wallis ran with Nathan Jones, Tom Liberatore went head-to-head with Jack Viney, and Matthew Boyd gave Bernie Vince a lesson. The Wallis-Jones match-up worked for the Bulldogs early, with Jones winning his first possession 22 minutes into the match before fighting back into the contest and finishing with 23 and seven clearances. Viney (14) had the better of Liberatore (12), who had averaged 33 possessions in his three games against the Demons.
On a string
The Bulldogs' first pick in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft, Jake Stringer enjoyed a breakout game in the forward line, kicking a career-high four goals. There are high hopes for the No.5 selection at the Whitten Oval, but he wasn't able to deliver on them in his debut season, with injuries restricting him to 10 games. He has played 10 games in 2014 and Sunday's was his best, highlighted by a classy snap in the third quarter when the Demons were charging.
VIDEO: Watch highlights of Jake Stringer's four goal performance against Melbourne on BulldogsTV.
