1. Skipper stamps his authority

With 90 seconds left in the third term, Marcus Bontempelli swooped on an errant Gold Coast handball, weaved his way between opponents and snapped truly.
The Suns had kicked five goals on the trot – cutting the margin back to 34 points – and had all the momentum.
But Bontempelli stepped up, as he has made a regular habit of in his 150 games in red, white and blue.
Why would it be any different in his milestone game?
Bontempelli finished the night with 33 disposals and three goals in a dominant performance.

2. Dale’s shift

Bailey Dale has fast become an integral part of the Bulldogs’ back line.
The 24-year-old was swung into defence by Luke Beveridge late in the pre-season but adjusted to his new role brilliantly.
Against the Suns, Dale racked up a career-high 27 disposals, complemented by nine marks, nine score involvements and a whopping 666 metres gained.
He’s proved a handy foil for the likes of rebounders Bailey Williams and Caleb Daniel, but also equally strong overhead to support the key defenders.
Dale had showed some exciting signs as a forward early in his career, but it doesn’t look like he’ll be switching roles again any time soon.

3. Ah Macrae, you’ve done it again

For a two-time All Australian, Jack Macrae seems to continually fly under the radar.
But it almost looks as though he’s found another gear in 2021.
Macrae continues to find the ball as he pleases – he’s averaging 35.2 disposals across the first five rounds of the season and has had 32 or more disposals in every game.
The 26-year-old can win it at the source and find space on the outside, with his foot skills coming to the fore against the Suns.
He had eight score involvements – and three goal assists – generated by some incredible deliveries inside 50 to the Bulldogs’ forwards.