What did the media pundits think of the Dogs’ Round one performance against Fremantle?
westernbulldogs.com.au has compiled their take on how they saw the game.
AFL Media
“It didn't take long for returning Bulldog Tom Liberatore to throw himself into the thick of the action. A goal off his non-preferred right boot in the fifth minute of the first quarter was a defining moment in the game.
“After his year out of the game following a torn anterior cruciate ligament, Liberatore's teammates mobbed him because they knew how special the moment was.
“The 2014 best and fairest winner was back to his ball-winning best, gathering 25 disposals as well as chalking up seven inside 50s. Libba will be an important addition to the young Dogs, adding another layer to a promising midfield.”
- Ben Guthrie
The Age
“Nat Fyfe had just 15 possessions for the afternoon, five less than his 2015 low and barely one apiece for the dozen opponents who spent time on the game's most explosive player. Champion Data recorded first-gamer Marcus Adams having him for longer than anyone – just 14 of Fyfe's 97 minutes on the ground.
“Otherwise Adams busied himself keeping Matthew Pavlich to six touches and a solitary goal as he and Josh Dunkley enjoyed debuts to remember. Elsewhere in the back half, the Dogs' fire-starters did as they pleased, with Jason Johannisen, Shane Biggs and Bob Murphy racking up 101 possessions between them.”
- Peter Hanlon
Herald Sun
"THEY play 14 games at Etihad this season and that is a frightening proposition for the opposition.
"They have an enthralling mix of fierce pressure, electric ball movement, speed of legs and unselfishness.
"We know the stars, but what of the likes of Biggs, Hunter, Dunkley, Johannisen who seems to been released off half-back, new boy Marcus Adams was terrific at full-back and Toby McLean, who joins the gang of six-footers who are relentless with their pressure.
"JAKE Stringer has even Jason Dunstall mesmerised by his freakish ability and Stringer is only one of the pack.
"He kicked five on Sunday, and then there was the return of Libba who had the first kick, Bontempelli the first goal, while Jack Macrae had 30, Murphy 31 and all the while, the Dogs managed to win the contested ball 157-114 against the best contested ball team of the past four years."
- Mark Robinson
