AFL 2021: Western Bulldogs defeat Brisbane Lions at blustery Mars Stadium

Luke Beveridge knows a bit about coming up with a premiership winning formula which catches people on the hop and early indications suggest he’s done it again.

Scott Gullan

@gullanHeraldSun

5 min read

April 11, 2021 - 6:21AM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Jack Macrae and Adam Treloar both had monster games in the Dogs’ win. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

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Normally the AFL is a copycat league which means almost anything Richmond has done in recent times has been attempted by rival clubs.

The Tigers gained a break of the competition when they went with the small quick pressure-based forward structure based initially around one key tall (Jack Riewoldt) and then two for the past couple of flags (Tom Lynch).

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge knows a bit about coming up with a premiership winning formula which catches people on the hop.

In 2016 the Dogs perfected the quick handball game which took them all the way to a surprise flag.

This year Beveridge isn’t re-inventing the wheel, more like making something old new again with his three-headed monster forward line.

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Aaron Naughton, Tim English and Josh Bruce are a major factor why the Bulldogs are undefeated after the opening month of the 2021 season.

The trio have all kicked goals in every game with a handy 32 majors in four games although that total is certainly inflated by Bruce’s 10 against North Melbourne in Round 3.

Towering Tim English booted three goals for the Bulldogs. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

While Naughton continues to confirm his standing as one of the most exciting players in the competition and one who the great Wayne Carey sees some of himself in, it was English who demanded the spotlight in Ballarat.

On a day where the conditions were expected to favour those small in stature - it was typically cold and windy - the work of English, mainly as a leading forward, was the story.

The recruitment of ex-Lion Stefan Martin has allowed Beveridge to activate his plan for the land of the giants forward line.

Martin does the bullocking work which allows 205cm English to gallop around like an excitable colt, jumping at everything and enjoying life away from the rigours of being the No.1 ruckman.

But what sets him apart is his leading patterns and kicking for goal which are exceptional for a player in just his 51st game.

Against the Lions English finished with 3.3 goals, Naughton 2.5 goals while Bruce came back to earth with just one major.

The trio combined for 20 marks, 11 of those contested pitted against a Brisbane defence led by All-Australian full-back Harris Andrews, ex-Bulldog Marcus Adams and Darcy Gardiner who was playing his first game of the season.

Beveridge is happy with what he sees and points out the injection of the likes of Adam Treloar has enabled him to pull the trigger on the big three.

“We’re a pretty well balanced side and are probably a bit quicker and more nimble than we ever have been so that helps you play the three talls,” the Dogs coach explained.

“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that a player that tall is going to absorb some of the attention for others as well so he’ll (English) get the spoils at times and he got some today.

Adam Treloar had a huge influence in his best game for the Dogs. Picture: Getty Images

“And then at other times, other people will get the reward. I think they’re complimenting each other pretty well even though Brucey, comparatively when you think about last week didn’t get the spoils, he still brought some ball to ground when he was out of position.

“Naughts didn’t finish off as well as he can but another thing is that in their own right, I mean Naughts is a fanatic at ground level, and the other two boys are pretty good at ground level which makes a difference.”

TRELOAR A TREAT

THE theory that the Bulldogs would struggle to fit Adam Treloar into its midfield mix can now be officially put to bed.

There was plenty of noise about what a detrimental impact the former Magpie could have in the Dogs set-up which was already packed with elite talent.

But as Beveridge told Treloar when he sat at his kitchen table back in November pondering whether to make the move, there was always room for a “marquee player”.

He has found his niche mainly on a wing with young gun Bailey Smith on the opposite one and Lachie Hunter floating through that area as well as half-forward.

No-one is missing out on their slice of the pie with Jack Macrae, Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore starting in the centre square for the opening bounce while Josh Dunkley, who was expected to be the most impacted in the new set-up, enjoyed his best game for the season with 27 disposals.

Once again Macrae led all-comers with 32 touches against the Lions, Treloar was next on 29 from Dunkley, Bontempelli (21), Liberatore (17) with Smith and Hunter both collecting 15 possessions.

Bevo was pleased his Bulldogs ground it out against the Lions. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

WOOD YOU BELIEVE IT

EASTON Wood’s importance to the team he captained to a premiership should never be underestimated.

While his body has let him down in recent times, Wood looks back in control and the timing couldn’t be better.

With regular full-back Ryan Gardner going down with a long-term injury, the defensive stocks are the areas where the Dogs appear most vulnerable.

Ex-Crow Alex Keath is the main man and on Saturday he stood Brisbane’s Joe Daniher while Beveridge brought in youngster Lewis Young for just his second game in two years to man dangerous Lion Eric Hipwood.

That allowed Wood to take care of the dangerous Charlie Cameron who it must be said is struggling to adapt to the new Daniher-focussed forward line set-up.

The former skipper’s ability to play big and small, combined with legitimate leg speed is a key piece of the puzzle.

Eric Hipwood took a huge hanger for the Lions. Picture: Getty Images

Another slice of Beveridge genius which has slipped under the radar this season is the deployment of Bailey Dale to defence.

Renowned as an opportunist half-forward, Dale only played three games last year but has rejuvenated his career as a dashing half-back.

WHAT’S UP CHARLIE?

WHAT to do with Charlie?

This must be the question which is keeping Lions coach Chris Fagan up at night as Cameron is a shadow of the player who lit up the competition a couple of years ago.

Clearly bringing in Joe Daniher has thrown him a curveball that he is yet to handle.

There wasn’t much on offer in Ballarat from Cameron who might be suited by a full game on a wing to get himself into the flow of a game.

In general the gloss has gone off the Lions and most likely a lot of that has to do with Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale’s output being down because of a nagging back injury.

Getting back to the Gabba will certainly help Cameron and he needs to feast on Essendon next Saturday night or things are going to get even more awkward for Fagan.