First quarter
Key Plays
Richmond dominated the scoreboard early, capitalising on every forward entry with an attempted score
The Western Bulldogs found their way onto the scoreboard with a goal through Adam Cooney after finding a lot of the ball early.
Liam Jones found a second for the Dogs from a tight angle, while a quick handpass from Nathan Hrovat to Luke Dahlhaus found a second opportunity on goals shorty after, but the dreadlocked forward was unable to convert the shot.
The Bulldogs continued to create pressure in the forward line, with repetitive inside 50s but it wasn’t until debutant Lachie Hunter was given a free kick 30 metres out that they were able to add another major to their tally.
Lukas Markovic, Jake Stringer and Liam Jones provided a number of marking targets in the home side’s attacking zone as the Bulldogs continued to curb the momentum.
Unable to mark the ball in a one on one contest, Liam Picken managed to crumb his own ball and take the final shot on goal for the term, but the shot was later determined to be a behind after touching the post.
The Bulldogs head into the second term 11 points behind, but holding the momentum.
Player of the quarter
Clay Smith was lively early through the midfield, laying on the defensive pressure and shutting off a number of Richmond’s forward plays. The 20-year-old found eight possessions at 100% disposal efficiency, three marks, two clearances, two tackles and a goal assist for the quarter.
Statistical snapshot
- Ryan Griffen and Matthew Boyd continued to accumulate possessions with nine apiece, while Jason Johannisen and Clay Smith had eight each at the first break
- Liam Jones, Lachlan Hunter and Adam Cooney are the Bulldogs three goalkickers
- The Bulldogs have tacken seven more tackles than Richmond in the first term, laying 12 to the Tigers’ five.
Progressive scores
Western Bulldogs 3. 3. (21) trail Richmond 4. 8. (32)
Second quarter
Key Plays
Jack Riewoldt began the second term firing, kicking his second goal within the first couple of minutes of the quarter.
The Bulldogs responded with a shot on goal from Griffen, however it hit the post.
Richmond refused to allow the flow of the game stay for too long, piling on three consecutive goals from Shaun Grigg, Reece Conca and Dustin Martin.
Jake Stringer kicked an impressive goal under pressure to bring the Bulldogs back into the game and reduce the margin to 29 points.
The three draftees in Hunter, Macrae and Stringer were instrumental in another scoring shot, but Stringer’s kick drifted wide for a behind.
Hunter found himself at the end of another scoring chain soon after, however the wayward ball bounced through for a point.
Despite the expanding scoreline, the Bulldogs continued to work hard to pressure the Tigers and keep them accountable but the away side’s ball movement and speed allowed them to break free at times.
Liam Jones kicked the game’s ninth consecutive behind (five of which were Bulldogs scoring shots).
Stringer was awarded a 50 metre penalty on the siren and kicked truely to chip the margin back down to 22 points.
Player of the quarter
Debutant Lachie Hunter proved his goal nous and footy smarts translate at the senior level. Finding 10 possessions in the first half and three marks, he showed he can get into the right spots to create scoring opportunities. While accuracy let him down with one goal and two behinds, his AFL start has still been impressive.
Statistical snapshot
- The Bulldogs top ten ball winners have a disposal efficiency of at least 70% so far in this game
- Jordan Roughead’s six marks in defence have been vital for the Bulldogs, while Matthew Boyd has had five marks and Liam Jones and Clay Smith boast four for the half
- The two draftees Jake Stringer and Lachie Hunter account for five of the Bulldogs 13 scoring shots
Progressive scores
Western Bulldogs 5. 9. (39) trail Richmond 8. 13. (61)
