The Age

“The Hawks won a pulsating game because they were leading when the music stopped: the lead changed six times in the last quarter alone.

“The Bulldogs' disappointment at the loss will be assuaged by the knowledge they can now match it with the best to the last breath.

“Astonishingly, the Dogs beat Hawthorn by 29 contested possessions in [the third] term. That number across a game would be significant, within a quarter it beggared belief,

“Caleb Daniel, Luke Dahlhaus, Shane Biggs and Toby McLean were instrumental in the change

- Michael Gleeson

First, it was the old dogs showing the new Dogs their tricks. Then it was the new Dogs teaching the old dogs new tricks. Finally, it was the old dogs getting back up to their old tricks. Not incidentally, it was also a magnificent game of football.

The margin was so negligible and the upside for both teams so great that at the final siren, they surely would have bid each other goodbye and not farewell. They will not meet again in home-and-away this season, but they might and should in the finals. Then we will see who learned what from whom.

- Greg Baum

Herald Sun

"What a game. It was furious, edge-of-the-seat footy where neither team would yield. The Hawks are a beast of a team who never gives up, while the Bulldogs announced themselves as a contender.

"A fightback in the second quarter and an exhilarating third quarter from the Bulldogs was the statement of the season to the date."

- Mark Robinson

“Can we bottle this one for September?

“The Western Bulldogs have arrived in defeat and Hawthorn has seen off its most daring challenger in a pulsating dogfight.”

- Sam Landsberger

AFL Media

"The Western Bulldogs' banner on Sunday read 'We've beaten the rest, let's beat the best'.

"And while they fell agonisingly short against the premiers, the Bulldogs showed they have the maturity and class to match it with the best."

- Nat Edwards