What were the media saying after the Bulldogs’ 21-point win over the Blues on Friday night?
The Age (Jon Pierik)
The Dogs got the job done through Jack Macrae, Lachie Hunter and Matt Suckling, while Bontempelli was also busy. Bontempelli, at times, was given the task of manning Cripps at stoppages in what was an intriguing sub-plot, with 'The Bont' having a greater influence.
The Dogs would have been delighted with Tom Boyd, who showed signs why he is such a special talent. He had two marks and a goal within the opening three minutes and had threatened to dismantle Rowe. He also spent time in the ruck and will have a key role to play if the Dogs are to threaten. Youngster Patrick Lipinski is a lively type. He booted three goals, including the sealer, and gave Lachie Plowman a tough evening.
BEST: Hunter, Macrae, Bontempelli, Suckling
-
AFL Media (Dinny Navaratnam)
The game was befitting 18th (Carlton) v 16th (Western Bulldogs) on the ladder coming into the weekend's action. Nevertheless, Dogs coach Luke Beveridge would see plenty of positives as his team, the youngest and least-experienced to be fielded this round, posted its second win of the year.
No Bulldog had 150 games experience to his name.
Toby McLean showed his improvement as an onballer and combined well with Jack Macrae, and Tom Boyd had a hot start to indicate he's improving since starting the year in the VFL, although he finished with 1.3.
BEST: Bontempelli, Macrae, Hunter, McLean, Suckling
-
Fox Sports (Riley Beveridge)
It WAS hard not to be drawn to game’s brightest prospects on Friday night.
In a clash that pitted the struggling Western Bulldogs against the winless Carlton, Marcus Bontempelli and Patrick Cripps were the stars of the show.
Bontempelli finished with 30 disposals, seven tackles and seven entries inside 50. Cripps racked up 32 disposals, 12 clearances and nine tackles.
But it was Bontempelli who crucially finished on the winning side. His Doggies outfit running out 21-point winners, improving to 2-4 on the season.
-
Herald Sun (Lauren Wood)
Marcus Bontempelli and Patrick Cripps — both drafted in 2013 — went head to head and showed the future is bright.
Youth is a certainty for both teams this year. Injury and experience dictates that and means such showings will happen more often than not.
“We are a young crew that brings excitement and enjoyment,” Bontempelli told Channel 7.
“But also I guess in the background the reality of continuing to learn and grow as a group.
“It is a bit of a new look team. Really new faces that are really playing their role.”
BEST: Macrae, Bontempelli, Hunter, Wallis, Gowers, Lipinski
