Defender-turned-forward Mitch Wallis and midfield bull Tom Liberatore have reflected on just how critical it was to get their first win in season 2020 against GWS.

Sitting 0-2 and at the bottom of the ladder, the Bulldogs were essentially playing to keep their 2020 campaign alive when they met the Giants in Round 3.

It was physical, it was brutal, it was aggressive – but the Bulldogs flexed their muscles and emerged 24-point victors.

Wallis said Liberatore’s goal just before three-quarter-time was significant.

“After ‘Libba’ kicked that goal and the celebration, (you could see) what it really meant to the club,” Wallis reflected.

“Obviously we’d been struggling, and (knew) how important it was to get a win to really kickstart the year.

“To play the way we did against the Giants, which is the rivalry that has been growing over the last few years, with so much comradery and love for each other was really important.

“It showed the true Bulldogs spirit.”

Liberatore echoed Wallis’ thoughts.

“(Getting the win) just reaffirmed how good we can be, and it was just something we needed to see for ourselves,” Liberatore said.

“(We needed to) spark that belief again in the group as to how connected we are, and that our spirit is still there.

“I think it was critical to just show, more than anything, ourselves and the coaches what we are capable of.

Liberatore also likened the moments leading up to his late third-quarter goal to that of a pressure cooker.

“(The game) was at boiling point – (the Giants) came out pretty strong and brought a lot of recklessness at the start of the game,” Liberatore said.

“I think the goal was just perfect timing – the siren went and we got a free kick, and I think they’d just had enough of us getting on top.

“It spilled over at the right moment, so I think it allowed us to hold on in the last quarter.