MATCH SUMMARY
The Western Bulldogs’ five-game winning streak over the Brisbane Lions has been dashed after an 18-point loss at the Gabba on Sunday.
The Lions led from start to finish, opened up a substantial third quarter lead, and steadied when the Dogs made their charge in the second half.
The loss leaves the Bulldogs in 10th spot on the ladder with three games remaining, four points and percentage outside the top eight.
Brisbane, who won their seventh straight game, kicked the first four goals of the match and skipped out to a 43-point lead during the third quarter, before the Dogs kicked seven of the last 10 goals.
The closest they got was within 17 points, which was the margin at three-quarter-time.
Jack Macrae finished with 45 disposals, while Josh Schache and Aaron Naughton kicked two goals each.
THE DEFINING MOMENTS
Fast starting Lions: Starting games well interstate is crucial, and the Bulldogs were on the back foot early when the Lions booted four goals to nil in the opening quarter, with the Dogs wasting their opportunities.
Dogs’ impressive surge: The fans at the Gabba would’ve been forgiven for thinking the four points were in the bag for the Lions midway through the third term when they led by seven goals, but the Bulldogs had other ideas. Four straight majors – on the back of some midfield dominance from Marcus Bontempelli and Josh Dunkley (26 touches between them in the quarter) - had the visitors in with a sniff at the final change.
Lions seal it: The first clearance of the final quarter went to the Lions, the scrambled kick fell into the arms of Eric Hipwood, and his goal effectively broke the back of the Bulldogs.
SHINING LIGHTS
Bontempelli was brilliant throughout, using his uncanny ability to lift to another level when the team needs him most. It was his sheer will to impact the contest which was the driving force behind the Bulldogs’ second half revival.
Macrae matched his brilliant ball-winning ability with relentless two-way running and a fierce attack on the contest.
Naughton had an intriguing battle with Brisbane defender Harris Andrews, but the young Dog stuck at the task all afternoon. He could have easily finished with four goals, and his developing forward craft was on show again with some strong marking.
STATS SHEET
The Bulldogs were able to control the contest for the most part – they finished with 72 more disposals, five more inside 50s and 10 more clearances. But it was efficiency which hurt them, especially in the first half.
Macrae’s 45 disposal-haul was the second highest of his career (behind his 47 against the Lions last year), and incredibly the eighth time he has compiled 40 or more possessions in a game in his 137-game career to date.
Young gun Bailey Smith won 27 disposals – his best tally since Round 9, while Hayden Crozier (11 marks) and Aaron Naughton (10) were dominant in the air.
MATCH DETAILS
BRISBANE LIONS 4.3 7.7 11.9 14.14 (98)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 0.5 2.8 8.10 11.14 (80)
GOALS
Brisbane: Cameron 4, Christensen 2, Robinson 2, Hipwood 2, McInerney, Rayner, McCluggage, Neale
Western Bulldogs: Schache 2, Naughton 2, Bontempelli, English, Dale, Richards, Johannisen, Lipinski, Suckling
BEST
Brisbane: Robinson, Andrews, Neale, Berry, Cameron, Martin
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Macrae, Dunkley, Smith, Daniel, Crozier
Official crowd: 25,831 at the Gabba
NEXT WEEK
Round 21, Essendon v Western Bulldogs, Saturday August 10, Marvel Stadium, 7.25pm.
