1. Dogs rattling the top teams
Four of the Western Bulldogs’ seven wins this season have come against current top-eight sides.
The impressive win against the ladder-leading Geelong Cats followed victories against Brisbane Lions (fourth), Richmond (sixth) and Port Adelaide (seventh).
After 15 games, the Bulldogs are just a game outside the top eight.
The next two weeks loom as vitally important in the context of the season – both at Marvel Stadium, against teams below the Dogs on the ladder in Melbourne (16th) and St Kilda (15th).
2. Defence stands tall
Defenders might not get Brownlow votes (often), but we saw what you did out there.
Geelong has scored more points than any team in the competition in 2019.
On Saturday night, the Cats were held to just 55 points – their lowest score of the season.
Jackson Trengove kept Tom Hawkins to just two goals – one of those coming at the end of the game – and Zaine Cordy effected a game-high 12 one-percenters, four more than the next-best players on the ground (Easton Wood and Rhys Stanley).
Taylor Duryea’s return from injury has been noticed, and Jason Johannisen (22 disposals) was superb – particularly in the absence of the hamstrung Caleb Daniel
3. Tall targets taking turns
For the past two weeks, it’s been Josh Schache who reaped the rewards in front of goal.
This week, it was Aaron Naughton with nine marks – five of those inside-50 – and four goals.
It feels as though the forward mix is starting to take shape, with Schache, Naughton and ruckman Tim English floating forward to have a presence in the air.
And while he’s technically not a tall forward, we should acknowledge the efforts of Sam Lloyd after snagging three goals.
It’s the ninth time he’s kicked multiple goals in 2019, taking his season tally to 25.
