Take a look at what the media were saying about last night's win over the Roos.
The Age
When North Melbourne beat the Western Bulldogs in a top-of-the-table clash back in round six, it was the Roos who looked the harder outfit, applying a defensive squeeze so tight the Dogs managed just six goals for the entire game.
The Roos won a dour struggle with just nine goals of their own, their tally until Saturday night still their lowest score of the season. But their opponent has shown repeatedly it learns its lessons quickly. And in the return bout, the Dogs proved it again.
In an almost mirror image of that first clash, the Bulldogs won with exactly the same score North had posted first time around, allowing the Roos just two more points than they themselves had kicked in defeat in round six.
BEST - M Boyd, Johannisen, Dahlhaus, Webb, Bontempelli, Hamling.
- Rohan Connelly
Herald Sun
The win lifts the Bulldogs a game — and percentage — clear of North and temporarily into sixth place with matches against Collingwood, Essendon and Fremantle to complete the home and away season.
Ending a two-game losing streak, the Bulldogs redeemed trademark attacking flair out of defence, while ruthlessly smothering North into submission.
After conceding the first two goals of the match, the Bulldogs added nine of the next 14 in a morale-boosting performance against quality opposition.
BEST - Johannisen, Boyd, Dahlhaus, Bontempelli, Wood, M Boyd, Hunter, Roberts, Picken.
- Leo Schlink
AFL Media
THE WESTERN Bulldogs have struck a psychological blow ahead of September, defeating likely fellow finalists North Melbourne by 14 points in a spiteful clash at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
The Dogs' victory took them to sixth on the ladder – although they will fall back to seventh if West Coast defeats Fremantle on Sunday – and a game clear of eighth-placed North.
Luke Beveridge's men remain a mathematical chance of gate-crashing the top four over coming weeks, and performances like this can only help that cause.
BEST - Bontempelli, M. Boyd, Daniel, Johannisen, Dahlhaus, Morris, Hunter
- Nick Bowen
