AFL round 21: Western Bulldogs v Melbourne news, result, stats and SuperCoach

Marcus Bontempelli and Adam Treloar combined to launch the fast-finishing Bulldogs into the top four — and to within reach of a milestone the club hasn’t achieved since Brad Johnson was captain.

Chris Cavanagh

@chriscavanagh1

2 min read

August 2, 2024 - 10:17PM

News Sport Network

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 27: Max Gawn of the Demons reacts on the final siren during the round 20 AFL match between Melbourne Demons and Greater Western Sydney Giants at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on July 27, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

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It was less than 13 weeks ago that Luke Beveridge was being asked whether he and the players were still on the same page.

“Yes, mate,” Beveridge replied as he walked out of a press conference following a seven-point loss to Hawthorn in round 8.

At that point of the year, the Bulldogs sat 11th on the ladder with a 3-5 record and fans feared another wasted campaign.

PLAYER RATINGS: HOW WE RATED EVERY BULLDOG, DEMON

Since then, the Bulldogs have gone 9-3 and are fast firming for a top-four finish – something the club has not achieved since Brad Johnson was still skipper in 2010.

Marcus Bontempelli stops Jack Viney in his tracks. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

The team — which reverted to its former name of Footscray for the week – looked more like world beaters than western suburbs battlers in a 51-point win over Melbourne on Friday night.

It just couldn’t finish off its work as well as it would have liked.

The Bulldogs had 6.13 (49) on the board at halftime and finished with 15.20 (110), the impressive Jamarra Ugle-Hagan the worst culprit with a wayward 2.6.

The team’s woes in front of goal are not new, either.

More spin on that than a peach from Brad Hogg!#AFLDogsDees pic.twitter.com/MN6Yq39cKN
— AFL (@AFL) August 2, 2024

In the past six weeks since their bye, Footscray’s goalkicking accuracy sits at 40.6 per cent – well below the AFL average of 49.3 per cent.

It’s not hurting them now, but it’s an area they’d want to tidy up heading into September.

Goalkicking aside, where’s the weakness for the Bulldogs?

Marcus Bontempelliâ€™s first quarter ðŸ‘‡

11 disposals ðŸ”¥
6 score involvements ðŸ”¥
5 inside 50â€™s ðŸ”¥
4 tackles ðŸ”¥
2 marks
1 goal
279m gained ðŸ”¥

Simon Goodwin ðŸ¤·ðŸ» âŒ #AFLDogsDees
— Brad Klibansky (@BradKlibansky) August 2, 2024

Adam Treloar leads the Bulldogs out in his 250th AFL game. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

The midfield is monstering opposition sides, led my captain Marcus Bontempelli who no doubt collected another three Brownlow Medal votes.

Bontempelli again put on his Superman cape and collected 33 disposals, 16 score involvements and two goals.

Milestone man Adam Treloar is similarly in career-best form, Tom Liberatore keeps doing what he does best and Tim English is finding his groove at the tail end of the year.

Marcus Bontempelli put the Demons to the sword in a dominant first quarter. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

The diverse and dynamic forward line might not be putting it between the big sticks often enough, but they are creating ample opportunities even when Aaron Naughton doesn’t play a starring role.

Then there’s the new-look defence, which is intercepting everything and has conceded an average of 51.7 points per game over the past three weeks.

Take a look at the players who are not getting a senior game, too.

The pool in Paris might be a little shallow, but the depth at the Bulldogs certainly isn’t.

Bailey Smith (knee), and Jason Johannisen (calf) are the only notable names on the injury list and the club’s VFL side sit second on the ladder after belting Casey by 54 points on Friday night.

Jake Lever collects Cody Weightman in a spoiling attempt. Picture: Mark Stewart

Midfielders Jack Macrae (43 disposals), Ryley Sanders (39 disposals, three goals) and Oskar Baker (31 disposals, two goals) all featured in that VFL match, as did defenders James O’Donnell and Alex Keath.

Talk about pressure for spots.

The Bulldogs face Adelaide, North Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney in the final three weeks of the regular season.

There’s therefore every chance they head into finals in Seventh Heaven – on a seven-game winning streak.

In racing they call that timing your run to perfection.