Sam Darcy has kicked a career-best seven goals as the Western Bulldogs all but secured a finals berth with a commanding 96-point win over North Melbourne.
Darcy was under pressure after kicking a wayward 1.5 in the previous round but responded superbly in the 20.18 (138) to 6.6 (42) victory at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
The 208cm target took advantage of his teammates' midfield dominance and the Kangaroos' undermanned defence, finishing with 7.1 in a win that tightened the Bulldogs' grip on a top-eight spot.
The Dogs (13-9) sit sixth and are guaranteed to play finals if they beat Greater Western Sydney in Ballarat in round 24, but could still qualify regardless of that result.
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11:24
Luke Beveridge | Post Match (RD23)
Bevo speaks to the media following the victory over North Melbourne.
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02:27
AFL RD23 | Darcy in seventh heaven
Sam Darcy boots a career-high seven majors in an outstanding performance
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01:14
Sam Darcy | 'Stuck to my routine'
Sam Darcy discusses the round 23 win over North Melbourne.
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00:48
Richards' ripping strike continues Dogs party
Ed Richards drills a beauty from 50 to extend his side's huge margin.
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00:57
Insane Darcy blitz blows North away with career-high
Sam Darcy slots three majors in a row to take him to six goals for the match in an electric display.
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00:43
Jumping Jamarra causing trouble with quick double
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan shows off his athleticism and nails back-to-back majors.
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00:42
Big Dogs flex their muscles with inevitable response
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan slots it through after Aaron Naughton's terrific contested assist.
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02:30
Member Stories
Get to know a few of our loyal members, as we thank all of you for your ongoing support in round 23.
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13:45
Luke Beveridge | 'Making sure that we're really ready'
Bevo speaks to the media ahead of the round 23 clash with North Melbourne.
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00:39
Deep Heat Medical Room | Round 23
Chris Bell provides an update on Tim English & Anthony Scott, thanks to Deep Heat.
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Darcy took nine marks, including four contested, and had 20 disposals on his way to kicking the second biggest bag of goals by any player this season.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (three goals), Aaron Naughton and Cody Weightman (two each) were also among the Bulldogs' six multiple goalkickers.
With No.1 ruckman Tim English (ankle) sidelined, versatile tall Rory Lobb was handed the job against All-Australian candidate Tristan Xerri and helped the Bulldogs midfield generate a landslide 69-34 advantage in inside 50s.
Adam Treloar (33 disposals), Marcus Bontempelli (29), Joel Freijah (29) and Tom Liberatore (23) had plenty of touches in a dominant midfield unit.
The margin ballooned to 41 points by the main break on the back of the Dogs' midfield dominance, which resulted in one-sided counts for inside 50s (35-18) and marks inside 50m (10-4) to that point.
The switched-on Bulldogs even led tackles (27-18) despite controlling the bulk of possession.
It was the Bulldogs' seventh consecutive win over North Melbourne, which completes its season against finals hopeful Hawthorn in Launceston on Saturday.
Match Details
WESTERN BULLDOGS 5.3 9.10 16.15 20.18 (138)
NORTH MELBOURNE 3.4 3.5 4.5 6.6 (42)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Darcy 7, Ugle-Hagan 3, Weightman 2, Richards 2, Naughton 2, Macrae 2, Williams, Vandermeer
North Melbourne: Hansen 2, Xerri, Wardlaw, Scott, Larkey
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Darcy, Liberatore, Bontempelli, Treloar, Freijah, Richards
North Melbourne: Xerri, Davies-Uniacke, Fisher, Simpkin, McKercher
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Nil
North Melbourne: Comben (concussion), Bergman (concussion)
SUBSTITUTES
Western Bulldogs: Jack Macrae (replaced Rhylee West in the third quarter)
North Melbourne: Miller Bergman (replaced Charlie Comben in the first quarter)
Crowd: 33,182 at Marvel Stadium
