Western Bulldogs 0.5 2.8 8.10 11.14.80
Brisbane Lions 4.3 7.7 11.9 14.14.98
Goals
Western Bulldogs: Schache 2, Naughton 2, Dale, Richards, English, Suckling, Johannisen, Lipinski, Bontempelli
Brisbane Lions: Cameron, Christensen 2, Hipwood 2, Robinson 2, Rayner, McCluggage, McInerney, Neale
Alex Docherty’s Best
Western Bulldogs: Macrae, Bontempelli, Dunkley, Crozier, Daniel, Naughton
Brisbane Lions: Robinson, Cameron, Lyons, Martin, Berry, Neale, Hipwood
Even though they still sit a game outside the top eight with three rounds to go, the Western Bulldogs continue to make things hard on themselves – it almost feels like there is no other way to attack this. The phrase flung around a lot lately is the one where ‘It is in their hands’. It is accurate as the Dogs had four games against top eight sides and if they really wanted it bad enough, they will find a way to get the wins necessary to play Finals this year.
What happened on Sunday has been indicative of the side all year long. They bust their hump for the most part, but for all the work they put in, the reward they get is sparse in comparison. A three-goal loss to the in-form Brisbane Lions at the Gabba was deserving of a loss, because they shot themselves in the foot with easy misses in the opening quarter and they were made to pay for it on the other end with Brisbane’s speed too good for a few defenders.
The Lions are one of the form sides in the competition and have basically proven it throughout the 2019 season. At the Gabba, they have only lost once from nine games there this year, which proves that they know how to play the ground and play it very well. They’ve punched their ticket to September for the first time in 10 years and for that, they deserve all the congratulations that are coming their way.
They are equal with West Coast and Geelong on wins for the year and there is every chance they could finish top of the ladder, so you better believe they are a legitimate contender this year.
It’s plain and simple for the Bulldogs, they shot themselves out of the game in the first half. It is why they lost, because they played a much better brand of football in the second half. It needs to be talked about and changes must be made to ensure that they get back to the Finals, whether it be this year by some miracle or 2020. Five behinds were registered in the opening term and they were down by 22 points when it could’ve and should’ve been so much less.
Aaron Naughton misses a couple of easy shots on goal – one that was a soda on the quarter time siren – he played a fairly good game, but for him to elevate his game to another level, the shots that are close to goal that he constantly butchers need to be converted and I hope he takes the time during the next pre-season to rectify it, he could seriously cause some damage next year if he can fix his set shots.
By half-time it was 10 scoring shots to 14 in favour of Brisbane, and they found themselves up by five goals. Sam Lloyd had a moment in the opening term where he could’ve handpassed to an open Lachie Hunter about 10 metres away, but selfishly snaps it for a point. In the second term, Hunter strolls inside 50 and should’ve had the shot but tried to find a teammate about 25 metres out and makes a mess of it, resulting in a turnover and a Brisbane goal up the other end. I could go on and on about the number of mistakes they made in the forward 50 in the first half.
It’s been a constant since they won the flag – it’s ridiculous to think that three years on, they are still compounded with the same issue. The Bulldogs were +74 in disposals overall, +10 in clearances and +5 in inside 50s, but still managed to lose the game. If it were a side like West Coast, Geelong or even if Brisbane found themselves on that side of the stat sheet, they would’ve made sure of the result.
Brisbane got out to a game-high 43 points – twice - in the third quarter, but once their captain Dayne Zorko went down with a hamstring complaint, the Dogs turned on the jets and got to within 17 points by the final break, taking the game on and somehow making things click in the forward half.
Unfortunately, the Lions found the resolve to hold on for a good win. Good sides do that when they’re challenged, and the Lions are going to be there at the pointy end of September. Personally, I am excited to see them play Finals again. As for the Bulldogs, well it’s not out of the question for them to play finals either this year, but gee whiz, they’re making things hard for themselves. Two of the final three games are winnable, but they probably need to win all three of them to be a genuine chance for September.
Leading The Way
Between Jack Macrae and Marcus Bontempelli, it was hard to split as the best Bulldog on the ground. Macrae notched up 45 disposals – which is two shy of his personal best, to which he got playing Brisbane last year. However it’s the highest number of a disposals by a player this year. He also picked up 12 clearances, seven tackles and eight inside 50s in a big night. The Bont had himself 35 disposals, five clearances, seven tackles and a goal, should’ve had two, but his influence in the second half was so hard to ignore.
Josh Dunkley (31 disposals, seven clearances, nine tackles and nine inside 50s) had himself a big game in his own right, although with the games of both men mentioned above, his efforts were swept under the rug a little bit. The defensive work of Hayden Crozier this year has been fantastic to watch and has been a stout investment, having been traded into the club at the end of 2017. He had 18 disposals and 11 marks in a fine effort. Caleb Daniel (22 disposals, five rebound 50s, five marks and four tackles) was also solid across half back.
Watching Aaron Naughton and Harris Andrews this year battling it out this year has been one of the best key position duels I’ve watched this year. Naughton kicked three goals last time they met, and on Sunday he had a solid game against a sure-fire All Australian this year. He kicked 2.2 from 14 disposals and 10 marks, three of those contested.
The Opposition
One man set the tone early in the game and that man is Mitch Robinson. He was in the thick of everything and did just about everything to ensure that the Lions were up and about. He kicked a pair of goals from 24 disposals, eight marks, six tackles and four inside 50s in a good performance. Lachie Neale has been a form player across this year, and whilst he had himself a modest 20 disposals, he also won his fair share of clearances and tackled when they didn’t have possession.
Charlie Cameron is an All-Australian small forward this year, I don’t care what anyone else says. He torched the Bulldogs for four goals from 13 disposals, seven marks, seven inside 50s and three tackles. He has been a remarkable pick up over the past two seasons. Eric Hipwood kicked two big goals in the last quarter when the game was in the balance, but caused plenty of headaches throughout the game, registering 10 marks, 15 disposals and perhaps should’ve added a couple more goals to his name.
Rounding off the Lions that I liked on Sunday night, Stefan Martin (21 disposals, 32 hitouts and six clearances) had a good showing in the ruck. Jarryd Lyons (16 disposals, 12 tackles and four clearances) continued his good form over the past month and a bit. Allen Christensen kicked two goals from 16 disposals and looks as dangerous as he’s ever been. Jarrod Berry (25 disposals, six marks and eight inside 50s) had a strong game, whilst I liked Noah Answerth’s game in the back half, recording 18 disposals and keeping Sam Lloyd goalless.