Western Bulldogs 6.5 9.8 14.11 18.13.121
Adelaide 2.0 5.4 8.6 13.9.87
Goals
Western Bulldogs: Dale 5, Lipinski 2, Lloyd 2, McLean 2, Schache 2, West, Bontempelli, English, Naughton, Macrae
Adelaide: Walker 5, Jones 2, Lynch 2, Knight 2, M.Crouch, Smith
Alex Docherty’s Best
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Macrae, Dale, Suckling, Dunkley, Johannisen, Hunter
Adelaide: M. Crouch, Sloane, Walker, Smith, Jones, Laird
All the Western Bulldogs needed to do was get the win in Ballarat on Sunday. Hawthorn’s win over the West Coast Eagles on Saturday night meant that it was absolutely essential to win, otherwise the Hawks were going to overtake the Bulldogs for that final spot in September.
The fact that the Western Bulldogs kicked the opening six goals of the contest spoke volumes about what they were all about on the day. They were switched on, they swarmed the Adelaide players whenever they had the ball and capitalized on their opportunities. Maybe they should’ve added another one or two, but they had the game on their terms from the start and that was perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the game.
A 34-point win over the Adelaide Crows means that the Bulldogs will finish the 2019 AFL home and away season in seventh spot and will have to go back to Giants Stadium to take on the Greater Western Sydney Giants in an elimination final. Given the fact that the Doggies won it from seventh back in 2016 will give them a bit of confidence heading into the break.
It had been a whirlwind season thus far for the Bulldogs. Before the bye they were 4-7 and seemingly on the precipice of another unfulfilled, disaster of a season. But something clicked when they returned from their break, they won eight of the next 11 and in the end, played footy deserving of making September.
After booting the first six goals of the match, the Crows never seriously threatened and even when they picked up after quarter time, the Bulldogs did more than plenty at numerous stages to keep the Crows away from mounting a serious challenge. The lead went from 28 points at half time to 41 at the final break thanks to the breeze that the Bulldogs had in the first and third quarters respectively.
They were ahead by about 10 goals midway through the last term before the Bulldogs put the foot off the pedal and allowed the Crows to kick a few junk time goals in the end. Perhaps the 34-point margin flattered the Crows to an extent, they failed to match the Bulldogs’ intensity around the contest, and their skills showed that of a side that finished 11th on the AFL ladder.
The win was set up by the likes of the usual suspects. Marcus Bontempelli dominated in the middle (31 disposals, seven clearances, 10 tackles, six inside 50s and one goal) and would have done his chances for the Brownlow no harm. Jack Macrae (36 disposals, four marks, nine clearances and one goal) continued on his fine finish to the home and away season. Do All Australian spots beckon for this pair? They have both been the Bulldogs’ best performers all year – Josh Dunkley probably a close third, given his form beyond round seven.
But let’s talk about revelations, because this team has been full of them. Josh Schache came back into the side in round 14 and has kicked at least a goal in all but one game. He finished with two goals on Sunday and was amongst the most threatening forwards on the ground. Speaking of threatening, Bailey Dale continued his blistering form with another bag of five goals, taking his tally to an unbelievable 20 goals in his six games since coming back into the side. The term ‘X-factor’ has been tossed around a lot in football, but Dale has been the x-factor that the club has needed.
Taylor Duryea was brought into the club from Hawthorn for a fourth-round pick, which is literally next to nothing. In the games that he has played, he has been such an influential piece in the Bulldogs’ defensive six. He floats in for intercepts and spoils and can also provide drive out of the back line when needed. Likewise goes to Hayden Crozier, who was brought in from Fremantle at the end of the 2017 season. Since he played his first game in the red, white and blue, he has been a consistent performer in the back six and you know what you’re going to get from him.
Their 2018 first-round selection in the draft Bailey Smith has played every game this year and has improved with each game. What is even more impressive is that he did it during an injury-interrupted pre-season. Sam Lloyd brought in a new dynamic in the forward line and has played a massive part in the Bulldogs’ improvement in scoring. Likewise Aaron Naughton – I know I’ve bitched and moaned about his kicking for goal, but he has improved as the season has gone on – his past month in particular has been remarkable.
Tim English has played all but three games this year in what has been a breakout year for the young ruckman. There have been times this year where he has been completely dominated in the hitouts – mainly due to his inexperienced body, but the one thing that has impressed me the most about him is his workrate – he effectively uses himself as a fourth midfielder in the stoppages and in general play. Patrick Lipinski is also another who is breaking out after playing every game since round 10. If he’s not picking up disposals at will, he’s featuring on the score sheet.
When you add these players along with likes of experience and players who have played in a premiership like Jason Johannisen, Lachie Hunter and Matthew Suckling – all three by the way played very well on Sunday, there is no reason why the Western Bulldogs can’t win the premiership once again from seventh.
The Opposition
Now, let’s dissect Adelaide a little bit because this is now two seasons since they bottomed out in the 2017 Grand Final that they have missed out on playing Finals altogether. You’d have to be living in a cave if you say that there isn’t a problem at Adelaide – this isn’t normal. I believe there’s some sort of issue that stems from the coach all the way down to the 40th player on their list. Don Pyke is in serious trouble but his job should be safe for now, but 2020 we will know more about him and the Crows.
It’s time to blow up the list and play more of the kids. Sam Jacobs must make way for Reilly O’Brien, I can’t see Bryce Gibbs playing here beyond this season as he has been in and out of the team frequently. Hugh Greenwood is in the same boat and the way that Eddie Betts played yesterday has been indicative of his form all year – I think it’s almost time for him to hang it up. There were quite a few players that played yesterday that are 27 years or older and it might be time to play more kids and offload some of the older talent.
Matt Crouch (47 disposals, seven marks, eight clearances and one goal) brought his own football to Ballarat on Sunday – he’s going to be a key piece in the middle over the next few years. I’d also say keep Rory Sloane and Tex Walker as the leaders. Both had very good games. Sloane had 34 disposals and 13 clearances in the middle, and Walker kicked five goals and looked dangerous when he was in flight. I saw plenty of promise in Chayce Jones (two goals from 18 disposals and seven marks), whilst Rory Laird (31 disposals and seven rebound 50s) and Brodie Smith (27 disposals, five tackles and one goal) were also in fine stead.