The pairing of Will Minson and Tom Liberatore around the stoppages has been a revelation in season 2013, with the Western Bulldogs duo accounting for 82 hitouts and 35 clearances at the end of two rounds.

The double act’s efforts to gain first possession against a well-drilled Fremantle side, ensured the Bulldogs finished well ahead in the clearances statistic, but not on the scoreboard — eventually going down  by 28 points.

While the home side kept coming at Fremantle, the 27-year-old ruckman pinpointed two five minute patches throughout the game that prevented the team from clawing back the margin.

“We definitely fought out the game, there was just a couple of five minute patches that really cost us the result in the end, which was disappointing,” Minson said.

Minson sang his praises for third year recruit Tom Liberatore, who dominated around the stoppages for a second consecutive week – finding an impressive 12 clearances all before three quarter time.

“He just keeps going, he is just a great footballer, terrific inside as we all know – that’s why we love playing with him,” he said.

Nick Lower also worked hard to limit the influence of his former teammate David Mundy and continued to consolidate his position in the Bulldogs’ lineup as  a shut-down specialist.

“The virus [Lower] is doing a great job on the opposition’s best players… he’s really taken it upon himself to play his role the best as he can, and you can see that on the weekend - it certainly comes out,” he said.

Minson said there were a number of positive signs to take from the weekend’s clash as the Bulldogs now turn their attention to an undefeated Richmond side.

“There’s definitely some positives from the game… we will learn from it and we look forward to next week,” he said.

The Bulldogs will take on Richmond on Sunday 14 April 2013 at Etihad Stadium in a round three clash.