See what the media thought of the Dogs' pulstating win over Adelaide on Saturday night.
The Age
As the game settled, the ruling dynamic was the Bulldogs' pressure.
It was personified by Tom Liberatore, who made two desperate lunges at [Rory] Sloane, and got him the second time.
Out of this earthiness, like mushrooms after a rain shower, emerged flashes of Jake Stringer magic.
The Bulldogs dominated the game and kicked six goals in a row to lead by that many, and that became the handicap around which both teams had to work for the rest of the match. The Crows narrowed it to two points just before half-time, and three points in the final minute of the match, but could never quite bridge it.
- Greg Baum
Herald Sun
BEVO’S boys are back.
The magic mojo restored.
The system trumping selection, with that electric ball movement dominating despite the absence of three key halfback creators.
The Western Bulldogs ultimately edged a remarkably efficient Adelaide in another absolute belter between these modern-day beauties on Saturday night.
The final margin was 15 points, the Western Bulldogs delivering themselves a fun slice of redemption for last year’s finals loss to the Crows.
- Sam Landsberger
AFL Media
In a return to their early season form, the Bulldogs kicked their highest score of the season to give the biggest indication yet they can overcome their injuries and match it with the best.
A shootout should have suited the high-scoring Crows, but the Bulldogs were on a mission to thrill and played brave, high-tempo football, taking the game on at every chance.
Led by Bomtempelli (30 possessions and two goals), their midfield won the clearance battle 41-24 and gave them a massive inside 50 advantage of 68-37.
Tom Liberatore (25 and nine clearances) and Mitch Wallis (26 and seven) were keys to the midfield dominance, while star forward Jake Stringer played a thrilling cameo to kick four goals.
Slick with the ball, they were also hard as nails in defence, with veteran Dale Morris locking down dangerous small forward Eddie Betts and keeping the hero from last year's elimination final goalless.
- Nathan Schmook
