Western Bulldogs midfielder Lachie Hunter said that his side’s ability to kick away when challenged was the most pleasing take-away from the Club’s 40-point win over the Bombers on Sunday.

The Dogs got off to a fast start, slamming on six unanswered goals in the first quarter before Essendon made a contest of it in the second, matching the Dogs goal for goal.

But the home team was held scoreless in the third term as Luke Beveridge’s men wrestled back control of the match. 

It was this ability to respond when challenged that Hunter said was important for a side going into a finals campaign.

“I suppose they threw it at us in the second quarter, we knew we had to lift there, and we did respond pretty quickly and blew it out to 35-40 points,” he told ABC AFL post-match.

“I know we didn’t go any further than that, but just the ability when the game got tight to just kick away and get a winning score.”

The Dogs would eventually walk away 40-pint winners, but Hunter said they were made to earn the victory.

“It was a hard one to win, he said.

“They over-possessed a lot and that kept the scores lower than what we would have liked but in the end we got the job done.”

And it was the team-focus of his teammates, in particular their hard individual running, that Hunter said played a major role in the win.

“It’s a selfless action which is crucial in the forward line,” he said.

“Especially to go on those gut-running leads to get into space even though you might not be used.

“We pride ourselves on that.”