1. Captain Courageous

Marcus Bontempelli may be a young captain, but he sure knows how to lead by action.
His first half against the Swans was sensational, going into the main break with an impactful 12 disposals and two goals to his name.
But it was two courageous ‘back with the flight’ marks which would have inspired his teammates most.
The first, with eyes only for the ball across half back, looked almost effortless and knocked the air out of Swans star Isaac Heeney.
The second, inside 50 and followed by a goal, added to the five-goal lead the Bulldogs accumulated before half time.

2. Determined defence

Defenders rarely get the plaudits they deserve.
But for the past fortnight, the Bulldogs’ backs have been at the top of their game.
The Swans – and Giants – could each only manage one goal before half-time, and no more than 40 points come full time.
Alex Keath is already proving a great acquisition, alongside Zaine Cordy in the key defensive posts, while the Bulldogs’ rebounding brigade has been effective in turning defence into attack.
Caleb Daniel (17 disposals), Hayden Crozier (16 disposals), Bailey Williams (14 disposals) and Jason Johannisen (13 disposals) provide a range of threats for teams to counter.

3. Youth prevails

It’s hard to believe, but remarkably, the Bulldogs will have fielded the youngest and least experienced team in the AFL by the time round four comes to a close.
Only seven players from the 2016 premiership side ran out against the Swans, with the Bulldogs fielding seven players aged 21-or-under.
In terms of average age (24 years, two months) and games played (71.1) the Bulldogs will have been the least experienced of any team in the AFL this week – while they were the only side not to field a player with 150 games or more to their name.
The Bulldogs’ young guns more than held their own – with the likes of Tim English, Bailey Smith and Pat Lipinski among the key contributors to the win.