Inside the numbers

- The Bulldogs pipped the league-leading Demons in the clearance count with 39 to the Melbourne’s 35, six below their per-game average of 41.3.

- At 444.1 per contest, the Dogs continue to lead the AFL in disposals after a 426 touch performance on the weekend.  Essendon, at 400 is a distant second, next week’s opponent, GWS sit third with 395.4.

- The Dogs’ hard-edge was again on display on Sunday after they collected 30 more contested possessions than the Demons.

Stat of the day

Hard to go past Tom Liberatore’s 19-tackle performance, although we shouldn't ignore his 15 conteted possesions either.

You can quote me on that

“As soon as I ran out on the ground, my god… the atmosphere was pretty intimidating to start with but the boys got around me.  

“I’ll never forget that, that was amazing.”

-          Debutant Bailey Williams after game number one.

"We're not a huge tackling side because we are a high possession side, but that was almost a quarter of our tackles I think. It's quite extraordinary, in particular his third and fourth efforts," Beveridge said after the win.

"It's never-say-die stuff and it sets an example for his teammates."

-          Luke Beveridge on Tom Liberatore’s record-equalling 19 tackles

"It's unbelievable isn't it? I looked up in the third and saw he had 17 tackles. His pressure around the ball is awesome."

"Before he did his knee he was the premier clearance player in the comp. It's great having him back”

-          Lachie Hunter on Tom Liberatore again.

Up next

The Dogs will travel to Spotless Stadium in Sydney to take on the Greater Western Sydney Giants on Sunday afternoon.