1. Inaccuracy bites Dogs
The Bulldogs had their chances on Monday night, but unfortunately couldn’t capitalise.
In a dominant first half display, the Bulldogs largely controlled the game inside their forward half, but only had 3.5 to their name at the major break.
And after trailing by 23 points at the final change, the Bulldogs found some momentum in the last quarter – but kicked 2.6 for the term.
It was a ‘what if’ night for the Bulldogs, who could have toppled the ladder leaders on their home turf.
2. Contested ball king
Tom Liberatore set a new competition benchmark for 2020.
The tough midfielder became the league leader for contested possessions in a match on Monday night, when he accumulated 20 of them.
On a night where neither team was able to get a free-flowing game style going, Liberatore’s work around the ball was pivotal.
His ability to bring others into the game has been spoken about plenty, but those 20 contested possessions – and four clearances – helped do just that, again.
3. Power control the skies
Perhaps the most telling factor on the night was the Power’s aerial abilities.
The Bulldogs managed just six contested marks for the night – with no player taking more than one – as opposed to the Power’s 21.
Five Power players had multiple – with Charlie Dixon claiming five to be a presence forward.
Trent Mackenzie (three) and Tom Clurey (two) were able to have an impact in defence, despite plenty of fight from the Bulldogs’ forwards.
Overall, the hosts claimed 67 marks compared to the Bulldogs’ 44.
