The margin was a lot closer than many expected after the Bulldogs rested nine key players for the contest, including skipper Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross, Adam Cooney and Bob Murphy. Meanwhile, the Kangaroos were only without pivotal trio Drew Petrie, Lachie Hansen and Scott McMahon.
The result would have been much closer had the Bulldogs been more accurate with their set shots. They blazed 0.9.16 (70) to the Roos 1.11.18 (93) at Eureka Stadium.
North rattled on the opening three goals of the match, including two to a lively Liam Anthony - and mustered seven of the first eight scoring shots - and it appeared pre-game fears of a whitewash would come to fruition.
But the undermanned Bulldogs received a spark from an unlikely source - Tom Campbell, the rookie-listed 20-year-old ruckman, who kicked successive goals after strong contested marks. Campbell finished with 3.3 in an impressive first-up display for the club.
Bulldogs midfielder Ryan Griffen was also dominant in the first half before being rested, gathering 14 possessions, including 10 contested, and slotting two goals.
Young Bulldogs runners Clay Smith (22 disposals), Luke Dahlhaus (23, including 11 contested) and Tom Liberatore (also with 23 touches, including 11 contested) were terrific in the absence of experienced teammates.
Brian Lake played a full game and was solid with 15 disposals.
The major performer for North was Liam Anthony, who had 20 touches and two score assists to go with his two goals, while Brent Harvey had 19 disposals in his second-half run.
NORTH MELBOURNE 0.3.4 0.6.8 1.9.13 1.11.18. (93)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 0.3.3 0.5.9 0.6.13 0.9.16 (70)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Wells (supergoal), Anthony, Harper 2, Adams, Atley, Swallow, McIntosh, Thompson, Edwards, Campbell
Western Bulldogs: Campbell 3, Skinner, Griffen 2, Roughead, Hill.
BEST
North Melbourne: Anthony, Thompson, Ziebell, Wright, Harvey.
Western Bulldogs: Dahlhaus, Liberatore, Smith, Campbell, Griffen.
INJURIES
North Melbourne: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Nicholls, Ryan, Hosking
Crowd: Approximately 8000 at Eureka Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
