MATCH SUMMARY
The Western Bulldogs have moved within percentage of the top eight after a 47-point victory over Fremantle at Marvel Stadium.
However, the win was soured however by a suspected ACL injury to veteran Dale Morris who, in his return AFL game, left the field in the third quarter and didn’t reappear.
The Bulldogs’ fifth win in seven games came after a blistering 11-goal first half, which featured four goals from Bailey Dale.
The Dogs notched their highest score of the season – their third tally of over 100 points - with their eight-goal first term their second biggest quarter of the season.
Debutant Rhylee West kicked a classy left foot snap during the second quarter to register his first AFL goal.
THE DEFINING MOMENTS
Dogs run wild early: Starting games hasn’t been the Bulldogs’ strong suit this season, but the trend was well and truly bucked when they slammed on eight first term majors against the Dockers. The teams went blow-for-blow early, before the Dogs surged with three straight six-pointers to finish the quarter.
Second quarter surge: The Bulldogs’ 23-point lead became 17 when Rory Lobb kicked truly two minutes into the second stanza, but the Dogs responded with a flurry of goals – including two in two minutes from Dale – to take the margin out to 36.
Rhylee West’s hits the scoreboard: It’s enough when a son of a gun kicks his first league goal, but even more special when it effectively ices the contest. West pounced on a loose ball from a marking contest late in the second quarter, burst through some would-be tacklers, swung onto the left and snapped it home. It created the loudest roar of the day, and the Dogs’ players came from everywhere to celebrate.
SHINING LIGHTS
Bailey Dale booted five goals last week, and he followed up with four against the Dockers – all in the first half. His clean finishing allowed the Bulldogs to skip clear early, and he profited from a forward line which operated in harmony, particularly early.
After an unusually quiet game last week, Caleb Daniel was back to his brilliant best in defence, picking up 29 disposals with a disposal efficiency of 90%.
Aaron Naughton worked a bit further up the ground on Sunday, and he reaped the benefits, taking 10 marks, collecting 20 disposals and kicking a goal.
STATS SHEET
Jack’s Macrae’s 38 disposals was his second highest tally of the season, and the 12th time he has amassed more than 30 in a game in 2019. He is also on a seven-game streak of 30 or more touches, dating back to Round 13. For good measure, he also recorded eight clearances and five tackles.
Sam Lloyd has booted multiple goals 12 times this season, with his three against Fremantle taking him to 32 for the season.
On the team front, the Bulldogs finished well on top in the contested possessions (+23), uncontested possessions (+60), inside 50s (+15) and handball receives (+30).
MATCH DETAILS
WESTERN BULLDOGS 8.2 11.12 14.11 16.17 (113)
FREMANTLE 4.3 5.5 7.9 9.12 (66)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Dale 4, Lloyd 3, Smith 2, Bontempelli 2, Lipinski, Hunter, West, Naughton, Johannisen
Fremantle: Tucker 2, Brayshaw 2, Walters, Schultz, Conca, Lobb
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Macrae, Bontempelli, Dale, Daniel, Hunter, Johannisen
Fremantle: Brayshaw, Fyfe, B. Hill, Mundy, Walters, Lobb
Official crowd: 21,181 at Marvel Stadium
NEXT WEEK
Round 20, Brisbane v Western Bulldogs, Sunday August 4, GABBA, 4.40pm.
