WESTERN Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney has lauded the courage of his players, in particular the injured Tom Williams, after the Dogs pipped Melbourne by 16 points at the MCG on Saturday night.
The Bulldogs were in a dicey situation when key forward Williams left the field in the second term with a calf injury that would normally have sidelined him for the rest of the match, had the Dogs not already used their substitution on Tory Dickson (left shoulder).
RECAP: Match report and BulldogsTV highlights from the Western Bulldogs' 16-point win over Melbourne.
Williams battled on manfully to finish with three goals, including an inspiring left-foot snap in the opening minute of the final term to regain the lead for his team.
"It was a brave effort … There were some brave soldiers out there," McCartney said post-match.
McCartney admitted Williams' injury is likely to have worsened because of his effort to play on.
"We've had a couple do it this year, and it's not something you want to advocate, but 'Roughy' (Jordan Roughead) did it for us round three," he said.
"We were pretty proud of Tom because he had a rough day a few weeks ago and incurred a lot of criticism, a lot of Western Bulldogs people were really hard on him, and he's bounced back …
"You have your tough days and it's what you learn out of those and how you bounce back. It's a good lesson."
The Bulldogs could be forced into a major restructure of their attack with fellow forward target Liam Jones certain to come under scrutiny from the Match Review Panel after making high, heavy contact with Dean Terlich, who was subbed out with concussion.
"I dunno, mate," McCartney said when asked about the incident.
"I was looking down at the stats and talking to the other coaches. There was a lot about the tribunal this week, a lot written and said. To comment on that stuff, it's not my place."
McCartney described the result as "an important win for where we're at". He said he would have taken a 3-5 start to the season but rued not winning at least one, and perhaps two, more games.
"We're where we're at on the ladder for a reason … but we were pleased as a footy group, just them hanging in there tonight," he said.
VIDEO: Watch the Bulldogs celebrate the victory over Melbourne, singing the team song.
The Bulldogs will give their players four days off over their bye next weekend, before facing Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium the following Sunday.
