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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The moment that mattered most.
The moment the Bulldogs’ season came to an end.
Having rode a wave of momentum into their first finals series since 2016, the Bulldogs were unable to maintain the rage in their do-or-die final.
The round 23 win against Adelaide meant the Bulldogs drew a rematch with the GWS Giants in Sydney – just two weeks after playing them on their home turf.
Eleven Bulldogs were featuring in September for the first time.
But they couldn’t match it with the Giants across four quarters.
The Giants had the better of the first half – and an extra five scoring shots – but only led by 10 points at the main break.
Josh Schache kicked the first goal after the change and the margin was just three points.
But the Giants took charge from there and kicked eight of the last nine goals in the game to run out 58-point victors.
It’s a moment that’s still fresh in the memory.
And one which will no doubt help drive the Bulldogs to bigger and better things in 2020.
Counting down the 2019 Moments That Mattered…
#2 THE ASTRONAUGHT TAKES FLIGHT
#3 THE FINALS BERTH SECURED
#4 THE BONT-INSPIRED POWER OUTAGE
#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
#13 THE TENSE FINISH
#14 THE UPSET
#15 THE ALL AUSTRALIANS
#16 THE RISING STAR
#17 THE FIGHTBACK
#18 THE DEBUTANTS
#19 THE MIGHT OF THOR