MATCH SUMMARY
The Western Bulldogs will head into the mid-season bye on the back of three consecutive losses, after another failed trip to Perth.
Against in-form reigning premier the West Coast, the Bulldogs were competitive in the first half but blown away in the second on the way to a 61-point defeat.
The Dogs started brightly, and might have led at the main break if it wasn’t for missed opportunities, after kicking four goals from 14 scoring shots.
But it fell away disappointingly after half time as the Eagles’ midfield got on top and its talented forward line profited, with Jack Darling (six) and Josh Kennedy (three) booting nine goals between them.
THE DEFINING MOMENTS
The Bulldogs were in control of the game and held the lead midway through the second quarter, when Darling profited from a free kick inside 50 which eventually led to four straight goals to the Eagles. Sam Lloyd kept the Dogs close with a set shot before half time, but the complexion of the game had already changed.
The game was blown apart in the third quarter, which was dominated by West Coast. The Dogs struggled to get hold of the ball as the home side dominated around the stoppages, which created an avalanche of inside 50s and resulted in nine goals to three for the term.
SHINING LIGHTS
Whether the Bulldogs were in control of the game or in arrears, the dash, daring and composure of Caleb Daniel and Jason Johannisen was a constant. The pair tried valiantly to set up the Dogs’ forward thrusts from defence with impressive efficiency.
Josh Dunkley’s work rate and contested game was a feature, and Sam Lloyd provided a mobile option linking the defence to the forward line.
Ryan Gardner capped off an unforgettable week by kicking a long-range set shot in the last quarter and providing a strong contest up forward.
STATS SHEET
It was the sixth time this season Daniel eclipsed the 30-disposal mark. Against the Eagles he had 34 (including 12 contested), and did it with 94% efficiency.
Johannisen’s relentless outside running saw him finish with a season-high 32 disposals – the equal fourth-highest tally of his career so far.
Josh Dunkley (33 possessions), Lachie Hunter (28), Marcus Bontempelli (27), Tom Liberatore (27) and Jack Macrae (26) all recorded big numbers.
From a team stats perspective, it was more even contest overall. The Bulldogs were shaded in contested possessions (119-115), clearances (35-33) and inside 50s (52-46), but had 12 more clangers and lost the contested mark count 13-3.
MATCH DETAILS
WEST COAST 3.1 7.3 16.5
WESTERN BULLDOGS 2.7 4.10 7.10 10.12.72
GOALS
West Coast: Darling 6, Kennedy 3, Waterman 3, Ryan 3, Cripps 2, Yeo, Sheed, Allen, Rioli
Western Bulldogs: Gowers 2, Dunkley, Naughton, Lloyd, Bontempelli, Dale, Liberatore, Suckling, Gardner
BEST
West Coast: Darling, Gaff, Shuey, Hurn, McGovern, Sheppard
Western Bulldogs: Daniel, Johannisen, Dunkley, Liberatore, Lloyd, Bontempelli
Crowd: 53,195 at Optus Stadium
NEXT WEEK
The Bulldogs have the bye in Round 12.
