AFL round 21: Bulldogs send competition warning with Tigers blitz
On Friday night, the Bulldogs proved to the AFL that when they're playing well, nobody can defeat them. Although the Bont is the initial catalyst, the second most valuable Dog is starting to emerge.
Western Bulldogs' defense has been pummeled more than a punching bag at a local gym.
Thirteen different starting defenders have been used by Coach Luke Beveridge this season, which is two more than any other team.
Due to a steady stream of injuries in a crucial part of the field, the personnel have been switched around against their will.
Bulldogs defender Ed Richards admitted, "It has been tricky."
Sometimes you have guys playing out of position. There has been a severe lack of strong guys. We've been without Brucey (Josh Bruce), Jonesy (Liam Jones), and Keathy (Alex Keath) since last week, when Alex suffered a concussion. As a result, both I and the guy up next will have to raise our game a notch. So far, it hasn't been great.
Nonetheless, the Bulldogs appear to have their strongest defensive mix fit and ready to make a September push with three rounds left in the regular season.
As expected, the Bulldogs' best four-quarter performance of the year came on Friday night against Richmond, when Jones returned from five weeks out with a fractured arm.
Possibly second only to captain Marcus Bontempelli in importance to the Bulldogs is a man who was playing state-league football in Queensland a year ago.
Jones had such an impact against the Tigers that even Bontempelli admitted that he played "like two or three guys down there."
The 32-year-old recorded 10 interception possessions and an incredible 10 spoils, but his impact was felt much beyond the numbers.
With Jones back in the lineup, Beveridge's team could now employ a new strategy.
The Bulldogs' half-backs were confident enough to press up the field and create forward-half interceptions because they knew he had their backs.
The Bulldogs won by a score of 19.12 (126) to 10.11 (71) thanks in part to their front-half performance, where they scored 63 points (their second-most of the season).
Richards gushed, "He's so important to us." in reference to Jones.
He can read the play and direct us from the deepest position, and knowing that he's down there gives you a sense of calm. So, it's great to have him back for the stretch run.
The Bulldogs have relied on a trio of important defenders on several occasions this year, but the pairing of Jones and James O'Donnell on Friday night gave them a more even look.
Rebounding halfbacks like Richards, Bailey Dale, Jason Johannisen, and Laitham Vandermeer helped the Bulldogs move the ball better from their own defensive 50 than they had all season.
It was the first time this season the quartet had played together, and they came out swinging.
Richards said the team wanted to "get back to our brand of moving the ball quickly and also getting up and defending" after straying from it in recent weeks.
As the coach put it, "We want to get the ball in our forward half and try to keep it there."
Because of the increased frequency of one-on-one situations, the forwards excelled.
In the first 19 rounds of the season, the Bulldogs were sitting in last place with a 16.4 percentage of their inside-50s resulting in a goal.
They had their best scoring output of the year against the Tigers, kicking 19 goals from 64 attempts (29.7 percent).
After beating a weak and exhausted Richmond team, the Bulldogs won't get too cocky.
Although the injury report was encouraging, there were encouraging indicators all over the field that things might be starting to click.
BULLDOGS 9.3, 12.5, 16.7, 19.12 (126)
TIGERS 2.1, 5.5, 7.8, 10.11 (71)
LERNER’S BEST Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Liberatore, Ugle-Hagan, Treloar, West, Daniel, L. Jones. Tigers: Ross, Taranto, Short, Riewoldt.
GOALS Bulldogs: Ugle-Hagan 5, Naughton 3, Bontempelli 3, Daniel 2, West 2, Lobb 2, Weightman, English. Tigers: Riewoldt 3, Ross 2, Pickett, Cumberland, Bolton, Bauer, Baker.
INJURIES Bulldogs: Scott (concussion). Tigers: Hopper (concussion).
LATE CHANGE Dylan Grimes (neck) was replaced in Richmond’s selected side by Sam Banks.
UMPIRES Rosebury, Stephens, Gavine, Williamson
VENUE Marvel Stadium
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
LERNER’S VOTES
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