Herald Sun
The Dogs are still a top-four chance — but need four results to fall their way.
They must beat Fremantle and rely on Adelaide, North Melbourne and Collingwood saluting to leap from seventh to fourth.
If Round 23 goes as expected, the Dogs will host West Coast in an elimination final.
The Dogs have used 39 players this season — four more than any other finalist.
- Sam Landsberger
The Age
It took the Western Bulldogs 20 minutes to put themselves in a position where they were almost certainly going to win this match against Essendon. Maybe 25.
Essendon were getting their bearings: warming up, winding up, getting ready to do some pretty good things. It was only the first quarter, after all.
The Bulldogs were the swifter, cleaner, more competent side.
- Emma Quayle
AFL Media
The equation was simple for the Bulldogs, win and a home elimination final – most likely against West Coast – remained a very realistic chance.
And after conceding the opening goal, Sunday's contest went largely to plan.
Luke Beveridge's men opened a few more avenues to goal ahead of a trip west to face Fremantle, which could be a tricky assignment in Dockers legend Matthew Pavlich's final match, and will be confident of doing some damage in September
- Travis King
