AFL Media
Macrae had 43 disposals in the plucky Dogs' performance, which threatened to undo the Tigers' run to the finals thanks to their quick, crisp ball movement and play-on-at-all-costs mentality.
Their performance capped off an impressive month for the 2016 premiers and will give them plenty of positivity heading into pre-season.
In the see-sawing contest, the Dogs led for the majority of the first half and by as much as 17 points at one stage with Lachie Hunter also finding plenty of the ball.
They even had a chance to steal it with less than a minute remaining when nine-gamer Brad Lynch lined up a tricky set shot from the boundary that resulted in a point.
Best: Macrae, Hunter, Dunkley, Daniel
- Jennifer Phelan
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Herald Sun
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge used the words “makeshift” and “persistent” to describe a season that ended with a performance he said gave his team a vision for next year.
Beveridge labelled the three-point loss to Richmond as “gutting” given the Bulldogs headed the reigning premier in that first half and had their chances in the dying minutes to take the lead.
But he walked away boosted by the performance of so many young players who were only on the MCG because his established stars were unavailable, as they had been for much of the year.
Best: Macrae, Hunter, Dunkley, Gowers, Johannisen
- Russell Gould
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The Age
To their credit, the Dogs were determined to finish their season with four straight wins, and were well led by Jack Macrae, who finished with 43 disposals, Josh Dunkley and Lachie Hunter.
Hayden Crozier was also busy, while Billy Gowers was lively up forward. Patrick Lipinski highlighted the Dogs' commitment when he was crunched in a heavy clash involving a teammate and Nick Vlastuin in the final term. He returned to the bench by the final siren.
The Dogs refused to buckle, even when the Riewoldt show took hold in the final term. Goals to Wallis and Gowers helped to drag them to within four points with just over three minutes remaining. Youngster Brad Lynch then had a chance to pinch victory with a minute remaining but he hit the post from just inside the boundary.
Best: Macrae, Hunter, Dunkley, Crozier, Bontempelli, Daniel
- Jon Pierik
