The Western Bulldogs have won three on the trot for the first time since May, after defeating Carlton by 17-points on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.
It took the Dogs nearly three quarters to jump clear of the Blues. Carlton led by one point at quarter-time and two points at half-time, before the Bulldogs held the advantage by four points at the final break.
The Dogs kicked four of the last five goals on their way to the 10.6 (66) to 7.7 (49) victory.
The numbers
Despite battling a back issue for much of the match, Marcus Bontempelli produced a career high 37-disposals, including 10 contested possessions, four clearances and seven inside-50s.
The Dogs’ engine room ran rampant: Josh Dunkley continued his purple patch, collecting 36 disposals and six tackles, while Lachie Hunter (33) and Jack Macrae (33) were also influential through the middle.
Jason Johannisen (24 disposals and one goal) provided drive off half back, as did Hayden Crozier (18 disposals, five tackles, four rebound 50s).
You can quote me on that
Luke Beveridge
“It was a bit of a grind but we’ll take the trifecta over three weeks when you haven’t won many.
“Carlton’s intensity and endeavour was at the edge of where they want it to be I would have thought. I don’t think we shied away from that and the arm wrestle was on.
“Obviously it was played a lot between the arcs, and not a lot of inside 50s in totality. But, I was really happy with the way the boys persevered and they managed to get give us just enough to give us a win.”
Jason Johannisen
“It was a bit scrappy, it was turnover, turnover type of footy. Their pressure was really good and we just couldn’t connect going forward.
“In that second half we were able to kick a couple of goals that were crucial and held on to the win.”
VFL + VFLW
Despite falling to Essendon at Windy Hill on Saturday afternoon, Footscray are only separated from the VFL top eight by percentage.
In wet and windy conditions, nothing could separate the two sides at the main break, but the ‘Scray failed to register a goal on the scoreboard thereafter, as the Bombers piled on eight unanswered goals in the second half to run out 12.13 (85) to 4.16 (40) winners.
Mitch Honeychurch collected 26 disposals and nine tackles and Footscray co-captain Angus Monfries kicked two goals.
In the VFLW, the Western Bulldogs couldn’t overcome Melbourne University, who claimed a 33-point win at VU Whitten Oval on Saturday.
Kirsten McLeod and Hannah Scott hit the scoreboard for the Dogs late, but it wasn’t enough as Melbourne Uni ran out 7.5 (47) to 2.2 (14) winners.
Up next
The Bulldogs will be hoping to upset minor premiers, Richmond, when they face the Tigers in the final round of the home and away season at the MCG at 2.10pm on Saturday afternoon.
The Scray will play 7th placed Port Melbourne at VU Whitten Oval at 11.00am on Saturday, with a spot in the finals up for grabs. The Western Bulldogs’ VFLW side will face Darebin at Bill Lawry Oval at 12.00pm.
