VelvetSledge
Moderator
- May 24, 2007
- 18,042
- 37,391
- AFL Club
- Essendon
- Other Teams
- Liverpool FC, Melbourne Storm
- Moderator
- #1
WESTERN BULLDOGS
An absolutely cracking game, just quietly. As a neutral, this was the most fun I've had watching footy in a hot minute.
The Bulldogs trailed by 28 points in the fourth quarter but mounted a late comeback, closing the gap to three points with three minutes left.
Gold Coast’s Ben King sealed the win with a goal after the siren, maintaining the Suns’ perfect 7-0 (now 8-0) record in Darwin since 2022.
Bulldogs’ coach Luke Beveridge expressed frustration over unforced defensive errors that led to crucial turnover points for the Suns.
Marcus Bontempelli was a standout for the Bulldogs, contributing 31 disposals, 10 clearances, and a goal, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.
Gold Coast’s midfield, led by Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson, outworked the Bulldogs, with Rowell’s contested possessions proving pivotal.
The Bulldogs’ three-game winning streak was snapped, despite a strong performance in humid conditions at Darwin’s TIO Stadium.
Key Bulldog Adam Treloar was absent due to a calf injury, testing the team’s depth, though they remained competitive.
Gold Coast’s small forwards, including Nick Holman and Ben Ainsworth, applied significant pressure, contributing to their scoring efficiency.
Despite the loss, the Bulldogs showed resilience, with Ed Richards and Tom Liberatore among the best performers before Richards left with a knock.
Round 9
GOLD COAST SUNS 15.16 106
def.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 14.12 96
BEST: Richards, Liberatore, O'Donnell, Bontempelli, Williams, Kennedy
GOALS: Kennedy 3, West, Vandermeer, Davison 2, Sanders, Bontempelli, McNeil, Richards, Khamis
-------
ESSENDON
It was fun to watch, until it wasn't fun. And then it was a stomach-ulcer-inducing slog. Again.
The Bombers dominated early, leading by 39 points at halftime, with a commanding 12.2 to 4.8 scoreline.
Andrew McGrath was among Essendon’s best, in a mammoth performance, alongside Zach Reid, Nic Martin, and Nate Caddy.
Sydney mounted a late comeback, reducing the margin to within a straight kick, but the plucky Baby Bombers 2.0 held firm despite the pressure.
The win showcased Essendon’s control, with +78 disposals, +22 tackles, +40 marks, and +1098 metres gained over Sydney.
Two debutants didn't look out of place; Archer Day-Wicks, on debut, kicked his first AFL goal, whilst Lewis Hayes looked composed and assured down back before the ultimate tragedy hit with an ACL injury.
Sydney’s key players included Brodie Grundy, Chad Warner (who woke up at half time), and Nick Blakey, but they couldn’t overcome Essendon’s early lead.
Shout out to Zach Reid again. Many of us scoffed when we were told he was the best of the lot in our 2020 draft haul, but he's certainly looking that way already.
The Bombers’ scoring efficiency from turnovers was notable, with 12.2 compared to Sydney’s 4.4 in the first half.
We don't do percentage boosters.
Round 9
ESSENDON 11.5 71
def.
SYDNEY 8.15 63
BEST: Wright, Draper, Martin, Merrett, McGrath, Setterfield
GOALS: Wright 6, Perkins 2, Shiel, Draper, Martin
BULLDOGS OUTS: Harvey Gallagher, Caleb Poulter
BULLDOGS INS: Taylor Duryea, Arthur Jones
ESSENDON OUTS: Lewis Hayes (ACL)
ESSENDON INS: Jayden Laverde
ROUND 5, 2024
Marvel Stadium
12/4/2024
WESTERN BULLDOGS 9.13 67
def. by
ESSENDON 15.6 96
---------
BULLDOGS GOALS: Ugle-Hagan 3, Naughton, West 2, Vandermeer, Darcy
ESSENDON GOALS: Langford 3, Stringer, Duursma, Jones 2, Goldstein, Gresham, Caldwell, Durham, Martin, Davey
BULLDOGS BEST: Johannisen, Liberatore, Treloar, Richards, Duryea
ESSENDON BEST: Merrett, Redman, Duursma, Durham, Langford
----------
CHANGES SINCE LAST TIME:
BULLDOGS OUTS: Treloar, Macrae, L. Jones, Darcy, Ugle-Hagan, Weightman, Baker, Gallagher
BULLDOGS INS: Cleary, Lobb, Freijah, Harmes, Kennedy, Davidson, A. Jones, McNeil
ESSENDON OUTS: Draper, Jones, Heppell, Gresham, Stringer, Kelly, Parish, Cox, Davey, Hind, Menzie
ESSENDON INS: Roberts, Reid, Prior, Day-Wicks, Perkins, Caddy, Wright, Kako, Shiel, Setterfield, El-Hawli
It's fair to say we've all been fairly happy with our Dons so far this season. The youngest side in the league, plenty of debutants, playing the kids, and still managing to get results. Not easily, and not convincingly, but wins are wins.
That being said, I suspect the Bulldogs, even with the players they have missing, will likely be a bridge too far for us this week. That ruck/rover lineup with English, Bontempelli, and Liberatore is brutal, and whilst we have multiple exciting avenues to goal and a ton of youthful exuberance, I suspect that we'll fall short this week. The challenge will be seeing if we can hold them close, or if we break down and let the flood gates open as we did against the likes of Adelaide and Collingwood. That will be the real test of maturity.
Bulldogs by 17.
Last edited:
️
