1. Dogs’ best is sensational…
Firstly, let’s talk about the first quarter.
The Bulldogs produced their best quarter of 2020 against Melbourne, with a scintillating third term to set up victory.
They bettered that against the Cats, one of the competition’s form sides.
Six goals to nil at the first break set up a significant advantage for the Bulldogs, on the back of some slick ball movement and sharp conversion.
The Bulldogs’ best more than stacks up.
2. … sustaining it is a challenge
Despite the opening term, the Cats fought back and the Bulldogs were unable to maintain the rage.
Partly, that was due to being two players down for more than half the game, following hamstring injuries to Easton Wood and Laitham Vandermeer.
But the Cats were able to force the game back on their terms.
They won the ball at the source and controlled the footy after quarter time, kicking 10 goals to three to overrun a brave Bulldog effort.
3. Ruck tricks come unstuck
Over the past fortnight, the Bulldogs’ inventive ruck situation has proved fruitful.
Tim English has had support from Josh Bruce and Josh Dunkley, with the latter taking on a significant responsibility in ruck contests around the ground.
But the Cats had the better of the Bulldogs after the first change, as the Bulldogs conceded the hit-out count for a 30th consecutive game.
Geelong won the hit-out count 49-13, plus the clearances 36-28.
A huge challenge awaits against West Coast and Nic Naitanui, with the Bulldogs’ season on the line.
