Western Bulldogs senior coach Luke Beveridge and key forward Aaron Naughton have lauded the side’s forward pressure against Fremantle.
The team effort saw the Bulldogs finish the game +12 for tackles inside 50, +1 for clearances, and +8 for marks inside 50 - leading the coach to give a glowing endorsement post-match.
“We played a pretty good brand of footy – the boys were amazing right from the start,” Beveridge told reporters.
“To get the territory game on our side to win the centre bounce – in our forward half, the game that we played was a pretty good way to play.
“We squandered some chances early, and we know historically with Fremantle that they keep coming and the margin was never going to be enough.
“The boys played a really consistent four quarters – which was a challenge coming out of Adelaide. We were really disappointed with the way that game finished.
“To take on a team like Fremantle in front of a parochial home crowd – it’s a really strong and healthy result.”
Player leader Aaron Naughton was important in the 49-point win, adding three goals from 11 disposals and four marks.
He echoed Beveridge’s thoughts.
“To come over here, enjoy the week in Perth and have a solid win was huge,” Naughton said in the rooms following the victory.
“We know our mids are super talented. The territory we can get from the centre bounce is huge, so for them to hit the scoreboard as well was awesome.
“Us forwards really pride ourselves on the amount of pressure we can put on to create turnovers.
“Especially in that first half – we kept kicking points which is a little bit disappointing after the hard work – but when you can play the game in your front half it just makes it easier.”
The Bulldogs will look to continue their winning ways against Hawthorn this Saturday afternoon, in what will also mark captain Marcus Bontempelli’s 200th match.
