The good, the not so good, the exhilarating, the heartbreaking… we’ve taken a look at the Moments That Mattered during the AFL season.
From now until the full playing group returns for the start of pre-season on November 25, westernbulldogs.com.au will count down 19 moments that had a big impact in 2019.
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Horrible conditions. Interstate. Season on the line.
The rain had been pouring down well before the game.
The footy was like a cake of soap.
Enter Marcus Bontempelli.
The Bulldogs’ vice-captain set the tone with an epic first quarter against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
It was like he was playing a different ball game.
Bontempelli had 11 contested possessions, six clearance and four inside-50s…
… in the first quarter.
His efforts laid the platform for a season-defining win, as the Bulldogs flicked the switch and shut down the Power on their home turf.
Bontempelli was crucial in the 25-point win, but the Bulldogs had contributors across every line.
Jack Macrae and Josh Dunkley found plenty of the ball, Bailey Smith laid 14 tackles and Roarke Smith produced a breakthrough AFL game – collecting 24 possessions and kicking a goal.
Josh Schache snared three goals and some important marks, while Tory Dickson and Pat Lipinski proved dangerous with two apiece.
And defensively, the Bulldogs stood tall to concede just five majors, with Jason Johannisen, Taylor Duryea, Caleb Daniel and Easton Wood helping to repel the Power’s forward forays.
On a tough night for football, the Bulldogs met every challenge.
Counting down the 2019 Moments That Mattered…
#5 THE BIG WIN
#6 THE COACH COMMITS
#7 THE DUNKLEY DOMINATION
#8 THE RETIREMENTS
#9 THE COMEBACK
#10 THE RE-SIGNINGS
#11 THE HEARTBREAK
#12 THE HANGER
