First quarter
Key plays
Both sides opened the term with a real sense of determination, as they sought out a final win for the season.
Daniel Giansiracusa opened the scoring in his 250th milestone match after some grunt work through the middle from his Bulldogs teammates but the shot went on to hit the post.
The Dogs showed they were intent on producing the first major, however, with the ball returning to the Club’s attacking line for Tory Dickson to dribble through his first goal of the day.
There was little room to move as the ball travelled up the field for the Demons first goal, with Nathan Jones putting them on the scoreboard.
A Jack Watts goal saw the away side take the lead for the first time in the game, followed by another from Dean Kent.
The tide began to turn for the Bulldogs when Mitch Wallis was rewarded a 50 metre penalty in his favour bringing them back within four points.
A 50m penalty at the other end of the ground saw Melbourne find their next goal minutes later, before Tom Campbell replied for the Dogs at the other end.
The game continued to be fought out in close quarters and while the Dogs were winning in a number of key indicators across the stats sheet it was Melbourne that still held the lead on the scoreboard.
Dickson out-positioned his opponent in the forward line to take a mark and convert with his second goal of the day as the Bulldogs’ confidence began to lift.
Luke Dahlhaus almost converted an impossible goal from a tight angle on the run but the ball hit the post on the way through.
Player of the quarter
Will Minson asserted his authority in the ruck early in the quarter, winning the hitouts by four. His clearance work continued to be a focus for the big man, ending the quarter with two. Most impressively was his equal Bulldogs-high nine possessions for the term, showing his improvement around the ground this season as well as just in the ruck.
Statistical Snapshot
- The Bulldogs led in a number of key areas including disposals (WB102,Melb76), contested possessions (40,22), clearances (14,5), inside 50s (16,11) and tackles (13,12)
- Four Dogs players ended the quarter with nine possessions (Minson, Adam Cooney, Tom Liberatore and Matthew Boyd), while only one Melbourne player had more than six disposals (Jack Grimes - 10)
- Tom Liberatore laid five tackles in the first term
Progressive scores
Western Bulldogs 4. 3. (27) trail Melbourne Demons 4. 5. (29)
Second quarter
Key plays
Melbourne’s intensity did not die off heading into the second term, with Jeremy Howe kicking a goal within the first minute.
Jarrad Grant delved deep into his bag of tricks in response, controlling the ball while in the tight grasp of Neville Jetta and managing to get boot to ball to convert a goal.
Daniel Cross joined the party when he too kicked a major for the Bulldogs in his last game for the Club, ultimately putting the Bulldogs back in the lead.
Tom Liberatore then showed the class act he is, evading a number of opponents in congestion through the corridor to take a bounce and finish with a goal.
The goals began to pour for the Bulldogs with fellow father-son recruit Lachie Hunter producing his first goal for the game after advantage was paid at the next centre clearance.
Hunter then had a hand in the Dogs next scoring shot, setting up Adam Cooney inside 50 who finished truly.
The Bulldogs continued to dominate play, looking the more dangerous of the two sides when in attack, boasting six consecutive goals.
Giansiracusa hit the scoreboard for his first goal, followed by Hunter kicking his second, while Minson built on his solid first term with his own goal.
The milestone man refused to stop there, capping the half with his second major.
The Bulldogs pressure began to make it very hard for Melbourne to push the ball up the field, restricting them to just two scoring shot in the second term to the home side’s 12.
Player of the quarter
2012 father-son draftee Lachie Hunter did well to showcase just why the Bulldogs recruited him in the second term. Possessing footy smarts and a real sense of composure with ball in hand, the 18-year-old kicked two goals and had a hand in a third. Hunter consistently places the ball to his teammates advantage and hits up targets and looks to be a solid prospect for the Dogs going forward. He finished the half with 15 disposals at 93.3% efficiency, six marks, two clearances and two inside 50s.
Statistical Snapshot
- The Bulldogs have almost triple the clearances of Melbourne (WB29, Melb10) led by Matthew Boyd (seven), Liberatore (five) and Minson (four).
- The home side also boast 40 extra contested possessions (42,22)
- Winning the second quarter by 45 points, the Dogs kicked nine goals in the second term alone
Progressive scores
Western Bulldogs 13. 6. (84) lead Melbourne Demons 6. 5. (41)
