A look at what was said in the media after Saturday night’s win against Carlton.
All discussion pre-game centred around how the influence of Carlton's Patrick Cripps and Bulldogs Marcus Bontempelli could be reduced. Few raised the prospect of Josh Dunkley doing the damage in the first quarter with 15 disposals, four tackles and a goal. He dominated the contest as the Bulldogs set up the game with an explosive first half an hour to lead by 19 points at the first break. Given they were ranked last for the first 10 minutes of games this season, it was an important contribution. – The Age journalist Peter Ryan
There was a critical moment at the end of the third quarter where Lachie Hunter smothered that ball out on the half back flank and I thought it was a really inspirational act. From that point on, we seemed to get our stuff together. – senior coach Luke Beveridge
Symbolically, Curnow’s ballistic seven-goal game was matched by Josh Dunkley’s 41-disposal, 10-tackle, six-clearance grinder. And that was the difference. The Dogs did it for longer — barely. – Herald Sun journalist Sam Edmund
Yeah, it was kind of enjoyable. I should have actually taken a couple (of bounces) and had a shot from 50, but I thought I’d better give it to ‘JJ’ off to the side, he was moving pretty quick – ruckman Tim English on AFL Nation, talking about his running bounce in the Marvel Stadium corridor
Bontempelli, Macrae and Dunkley accumulated an absurd 39 touches between them by quarter-time on Saturday night and finished with a combined 105. Yet Luke Beveridge's men made hard work of it, coughing up a game-high 34-point lead to briefly trail in the third term, before recovering then stumbling to narrowly avoid a second season defeat to Carlton. – AFL Media journalist Marc McGowan
You sort of know what the score is, you don’t always look (at the scoreboard). Once they kicked three goals, you feel with the crowd they’re getting a lot closer and you have a look then. You just play the game on its merits at that time - Bulldogs midfielder Josh Dunkley on ABC Grandstand, talking about the tense finish
Beveridge made Lipinski earn his spot this season despite averaging 25 disposals and 108 ranking points in his six VFL matches. He hasn’t let the coach down in his three games in the seniors. Against the Blues he won a career-high 29 disposals and kicked multiple goals for just the third time. Importantly, his kicking efficiency across his three games is 76 per cent. – Herald Sun journalist Mark Robinson
