While not the most attractive win of the season, the Bulldogs’ Saturday night win over the Blues was effective, with the resultant four points moving the club one game clear inside the top eight.
With the competition starting to pay increased attention to the Dogs’ free flowing game-style, Luke Beveridge’s men have found ways in recent weeks to contend with opposition strategies to halt their run to grind out the result.
“We don’t think we’ve played our best footy over the last couple of weeks, but in saying that, both St Kilda and Carlton have done their homework, and restricted our style of play to some degree,” milestone man Matthew Boyd said post match.
VIDEO: Watch match highlights from the Bulldogs 11-point win over the Blues.
Taking a 14-point advantage into quarter time, the Blues kicked three goals to the Dogs’ one in the second quarter to take a three-point lead into the main break.
It was the Blues ability to stop the Dogs run that got them back into the game, but it was the Bulldogs’ ability to bring some life back into their game out of half time that proved decisive.
The early introduction of sub Caleb Daniel into the contest out of half time, helped the Dogs’ cause according to Boyd.
“We were pretty stagnant, especially early in the game, we just wanted to get some more energy around the ball.”
“Putting Caleb Daniel on at half time…he was fantastic when he came on, he just led the way with his effort.”
VIDEO: Watch highlights of debutant Caleb Daniel's performance against Carlton.
The Bulldogs kicked three unanswered goals in the third term, restricting the Blues to just four behinds, in a run that would prove game deciding.
The Dogs got back on top at the coal-face that term, dominating the contested ball count (40-21), forward 50 entries (17-6) and clearances (10-4).
While the Blues challenged late, the Dogs had done enough early to get the result, but Boyd was adamant that despite the side’s third win in succession, there was still much work to be done.
“We’re on a journey of discovery, we’re playing some decent footy, but at times we’re a bit inconsistent.
“We’re still learning, and we’re still developing….we’re not talking about finals because the reality of this competition is that it’s so even.
“Week by week you really go to be on you’re ‘A-game’ to beat teams, and we come up against a really good opposition this week.
“It’s nice to get wins in a row, but you put that one aside now and move on to the next game.
“We’ve got a really tough challenge going up to Cairns playing the Gold Coast who had a fantastic win.
“It’s just another challenge for this young group.”
