A record equalling 47 disposals from Jack Macrae and four goals from Marcus Bontempelli on return, has seen the Western Bulldogs register their third win in a row, a 14-point victory over Brisbane at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night
Macrae finished with 10 clearances, eight tackles and eight inside 50s to go with his 47 touches, as the 23-year-old equaled Ryan Griffen’s record for the most possessions every recorded in a single match by a Bulldog, and bettering his previous career-high of 43.
The Dogs played with intent, dare and confidence in patches, and feasted on Brisbane’s turnovers for most of the game; but it was a five goal to two second quarter that ensured the Dogs had enough of a buffer to hold off a gallant Brisbane Lions outfit for the rest of the night.
Despite the Dogs’ dominance in clearances (43-35), inside 50s (64-47) and contested possessions (170-149), Brisbane were in shouting distance until Matthew Suckling cleared the fences from 55 metres out to give the home side a 19-point lead with ten minutes remaining.
Bontempelli played mostly deep, and again demonstrated why Luke Beveridge probably wishes he could clone his 22-year-old stand in skipper.
After a week off with a suspect hip, Bontempelli would have likely collected three Brownlow votes if not for Macrae bringing his own football. He kicked four, including two of the Dogs first three, and picked up 24 disposals to go with six marks, five clearances, four tackles, and just to show off his versatility, he add five inside 50s as well.
Toby McLean (26 disposals, five marks, five tackles), Lachie Hunter (33 disposals, four tackles) and Matthew Suckling (30 disposals, one goal) continue to find the football, while second-year forward Patrick Lipinski’s copybook remains unblemished, kicking two goals tonight, and eighth straight for the season.
The Dogs are now 4-4 after eight rounds with consecutive Friday night games against Adelaide and Collingwood to come.
Western Bulldogs 4.3 9.5 11.8 16.11 (107)
Brisbane Lions 4.1 6.5 8.8 14.9. (93)
Best: Macrae, Bontempelli, McLean, Hunter, Suckling
Goals: Bontempelli 4, Lipinski, McLean, Gowers 2, Boyd, Daniel, Dunkley, Dale, Suckling, Wallis
Disposals: Macrae 47, Hunter 33, Suckling 30, Daniel 27, McLean 26
