Read how the members of the media saw Friday night's loss to the West Coast Eagles.
The Age
On the upside, Jack Redpath made a remarkable return from another knee reconstruction for the Dogs in Perth.
The powerful forward injured himself against St Kilda in round 18 last year and only played one game in the VFL in his return, kicking six goals last weekend, before getting a call-up.
The 26-year-old looked dangerous early, kicking the game's first goal after taking a strong mark over young Eagles defender Tom Barrass.
He had three goals by half-time, two of them coming from goal square as a result of some hard running.
Best: Macrae, Daniel, Bontempelli, Hunter, Johannisen, Jong
- Brad Elborough
Herald Sun/Perth Now
The Western Bulldogs finally ran out of get out of jail cards, but only after another spirited comeback that ultimately fell short against West Coast at Subiaco.
In a rematch of last year’s elimination final which kick-started the greatest month in the Bulldogs’ history, it was the Eagles who prevailed by eight points in a dour struggle despite kicking just one goal in the second half.
The Bulldogs’ recent struggles to kick a score ultimately told.
Jack Redpath made a successful return from his third knee reconstruction with three first-half goals, but there were few other reliable avenues in attack for the undermanned Dogs who were without Jake Stringer and Travis Cloke.
Best: J.Macrae, M.Bontempelli, C.Daniel, E.Wood, L.Jong, J.Johannisen, J.Redpath.
- Braden Quartermaine
AFL Media
Bulldogs fans would've been buoyed to see the return of Redpath to senior action after kicking six goals in his lone VFL appearance last week.
The key forward started well, claiming the first goal of the match before adding two more strokes to his tally in the second quarter – both majors from the goal-square. Redpath contested well in the second half but was understandably down on his output as the match wore on. The fact he made it through unscathed, however, will please Luke Beveridge.
Best: Daniel, Macrae, Jong, Bontempelli, Dahlhaus, Redpath
- Travis King/Rory Coleman-Heard
