Third quarter
Key Plays
Competition flared in the third term, with both sides adding multiple goals to the score board.
Turnovers in St Kilda’s forward line continued to hurt them, while simultaneously keeping the Bulldogs in reach.
Brett Goodes found a goal for the Bulldogs midway through the term, with Koby Stevens finding his second to chip away at the margin.
Running into the goalsquare, Luke Dahlhaus managed to kick another goal minutes later to reduce the margin to a goal.
The Dogs ran with the momentum producing a third consecutive goal through Ryan Griffen to level the game and.
The ferocity with which both sides attacked the ball was exciting to watch as the pressure continued to build.
St Kilda were able to add two behinds to regain the lead heading into the final break but could not produce any more of a buffer than that.
Player of the quarter
Nathan Hrovat has been promising on debut with 15 disposals in the first three quarters. His outside run has been nicely complemented by his ball winning abilities and looks to provide another creative crumber to assist Luke Dahlhaus in the forward line and through the midfield. The 18-year-old has also found four marks, four clearances, three tackles, five bounces, four inside 50s and a goal.
Statistical Breakdown
- The Dogs still lead in disposals (WB270, StK238), Clearances (28,23), Inside 50s (34,30), Contested possessions (102,81) and hitouts (35,26)
- Dylan Addison (3), Koby Stevens (2) and Ryan Griffen (2) are the Dogs multiple goal scorers
- Dale Morris has worked tirelessly on Nick Riewold all day limiting him to three goals and finding ten possessions and nine one percenters himself.
Progressive scores:
St Kilda 11. 9. (75) lead Western Bulldogs 11. 7. (73)
Fourth quarter
Key Plays
Nick Riewoldt running into the goal square saw St Kilda produce the first major of the final term, while Leigh Montagna found their second minutes after.
The Bulldogs response resulted in Koby Stevens kicking his third goal of the day, followed by a goal to Jordan Roughead.
St Kilda’s rebounding ability was again on show in the fourth quarter
An inspirational goal involving a chain of play initiated by Koby Stevens and Nathan Hrovat saw Robert Murphy run through the corridor and finish with a goal.
Substitute Daniel Giansiracusa then added to the score tally and put the Bulldogs in front for the first time since the second quarter.
The work from Stevens, Clay Smith, Matthew Boyd and Ryan Griffen through the midfield was commendable while Will Minson continued to dominate in the ruck.
The Dogs continued to show improved ball movement on previous weeks, while their defensive efforts had also lifted.
A sensational mark from Liam Jones in front of goals saw the young forward work his way onto the score sheet, as reward for his workrate and tireless efforts throughout the day.
Soon after Dylan Addison found his fourth goal, as the Dogs took hold of the momentum.
Player of the quarter:
Young Jason Johannisen may quietly go about his business on the field but his influence is growing as each week goes on. Despite just eleven games to his name, his 23 disposals at 91.3% efficiency cannot be downplayed. The run and speed that he provides rebounding out of defence has been exciting to watch this season while his three rebound 50s and four inside 50s find a target more often than not.
Statistical snapshot:
- Koby Stevens bettered his previous career best disposal count by 11, finishing the game with 31
- Will Minson had 46 hitouts for the match, continuing to show his dominance this year with first ruck duties
- The Bulldogs won the disposals (WB366,StK315), clearances (43,26), inside50s (52,39), contested possessions (139,111) and hitouts (49,37) and only fell short in the tackle count by three (67,70)
Final scores:
St Kilda 15. 11. (101) defeated by Western Bulldogs 17. 8. (110)
