MATCH SUMMARY
The Western Bulldogs have backed up last week’s win over Richmond with a strong 16-point victory over Brisbane at Mars Stadium in Ballarat.
A strong second half performance, on the back of the continued emergence of midfielder Josh Dunkley and rising star forward Aaron Naughton, secured just the second ever triumph for the Dogs in Ballarat.
The Lions were inaccurate in the first half and after staying within striking distance, the Bulldogs took over after the main break.
The Lions upped their game in the final term, but the home side withstood the challenge and improved their season tally to four wins and four losses.
THE DEFINING MOMENTS
The Lions were very good early, though a little wasteful. Their lead hovered around the three-goal mark during the second quarter, with the Bulldogs doing their best just to hang in the contest.
Just before half time, a run of three straight majors from Jack Macrae, Sam Lloyd and Naughton put the Dogs’ noses in front and changed the complexion of the game.
They went on to kick four goals to two in the third stanza to take a commanding lead into the final change.
The last quarter was an arm-wrestle, and the Lions lifted their rating considerably. At the 18-minute mark Eric Hipwood got the visitors within 16 points, and there was eight minutes of tight and tense footy before Naughton stepped up with a huge contested mark and goal with four minutes remaining to land the hammer blow.
SHINING LIGHTS
Josh Dunkley had a slowish start to the season by his standards, but has had a remarkable last two weeks. In just his 51st game of league football, the 22-year-old got the job done against the Lions in close, around the ground and in front of goals.
After a breakout performance last week against the Tigers, Aaron Naughton had registered three disposals to half time opposed to Harris Andrews. But he turned it around spectacularly when it mattered, collecting 12 disposals and kicking two goals in the last two quarters.
Ruckman Tim English ruckman was a late withdrawal with soreness, allowing Fletcher Roberts to come in for his 50th AFL game and for Jackson Trengove to shoulder the ruck duties. Trengove got better as the match wore on, finishing with 21 possessions and six clearances in an entertaining battle with Stefan Martin.
STATS SHEET
Dunkley’s haul of 36 disposals was the equal highest in his career to date, and included a game-high 22 contested possessions. He also racked up 10 clearances, applied eight tackles and had five inside 50s in a dominant display.
Lachie Hunter (32 touches) and Jack Macrae (28) were at their industrious best across the middle, while Marcus Bontempelli was ever-present with 26 disposals and a goal.
The Bulldogs won all the key team stats, getting the better of the clearances (51-39), overall possessions (374-344), contested possessions (169-159) and inside 50s (64-58).
Sam Lloyd kicked two goals for the fifth time this season, taking his total to 12 majors from eight games.
MATCH DETAILS
WESTERN BULLDOGS 3.1 7.4 11.12 13.14.92
BRISBANE LIONS 4.4 6.8 8.9 11.10.76
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 3, Richards 2, Lloyd 2, Hayes, Wallis, Bontempelli, Macrae, Suckling, Dunkley
Brisbane: Robinson 3, Hipwood 2, Zorko 2, Neale, Berry, McCluggage, McStay
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Dunkley, Macrae, Hunter, Naughton, Lloyd, Liberatore
Brisbane: McCluggage, Neale, Lyons, Robinson, Rich, Zorko
OFFICIAL CROWD: 9,039 at Mars Stadium
UP NEXT
Round 9, Geelong v Western Bulldogs, GMHBA Stadium, Saturday May 18, 4.35pm AEST
