Western Bulldogs get out of jail with one-point win against North Melbourne

LET’S clear this up — the Western Bulldogs aren’t back, they’re just extremely lucky, with crucial umpiring calls helping them get out of jail against North Melbourne. HAVE YOUR SAY

Marcus Bontempelli pushes off North Melbourne’s Todd Goldstein. Picture: Michael Klein

LET’S clear this up straight away — the Western Bulldogs aren’t back, they’re just extremely lucky.

The premier got the four points against North Melbourne, but also got the rub of the green from the umpires in a drama-packed night under the lid.

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We don’t often talk about free kick counts or the officials, but such was the influence it — and they — had on this game it would be ridiculous to ignore it.

Marcus Bontempelli charges out of the centre. Picture: Michael Klein

The Bulldogs led by 18 points at quarter-time, 21 at halftime and 26 at the 11-minute mark of the last quarter. Yet how they escaped with a one-point victory might keep Brad Scott awake at night for some time.

The final free kick count was 26-13 in the Dogs’ favour. At one stage it was 15-2 and the Bronx cheers echoed around Etihad Stadium on the rare occasion the Roos got one.

No one is saying the Dogs didn’t play some solid football and even briefly rekindled memories of last year’s run to glory with some passages of play.

But there will be no hangover from this win.

Shaun Higgins took too long as Jake Stringer ran him down! #AFLDogsNorth pic.twitter.com/qd9ABDNGKg

— AFL (@AFL) June 24, 2017

With North Melbourne charging, Shaun Higgins had a shot from 45m out directly in front to cut margin to seven in the shadows of three-quarter time.

He was poleaxed from behind by Jake Stringer after being called to play-on, unbeknown to him.

The countdown clock isn’t shown in the final two minutes of each quarter, but the officiating umpire didn’t appear to tell Higgins to play-on. That call came from his colleague 40m away, which only Stringer appeared to hear.

Shaun Higgins asks for an explanation from the umpire at three-quarter time. Picture: Michael Klein

Jake Stringer kicks the winning point with 40 seconds to go. Picture: Michael Klein

The Bulldogs had the game back under their command when Matt Suckling snapped truly to put them 26 points up halfway through the last term.

But North again refused to roll over, jamming on four consecutive goals in 10 minutes. That’s when the Roos again copped the rough end of the stick.

Ben Brown marked on the edge of the goalsquare and quickly goaled to put his side in front with less than three minutes left. Or so he thought.

Mason Wood was penalised for an illegal block and the goal was chalked off. Higgins then missed a snap, the ball flew down the other end from the kick-in and Jake Stringer’s missed set shot was enough to get the Dogs out of jail.

Easton Wood flies for the bouncing ball. Picture: Michael Klein

However, there were signs of life that they will cling to at the kennel. Marcus Bontempelli (32 disposals) was back to his silky best, Liam Picken did those unfathomable Liam Picken things, Mitch Wallis continued what’s been an incredible comeback and Tom Campbell overwhelmed Todd Goldstein to stamp himself on the contest.

The Kangaroos bent but never broke and were potent in the forward half. With Jarrad Waite lively in a new role on a wing, Brown flourished while Taylor Garner quelled Jason Johannisen at the other end.

North had an extraordinary 11 scoring shots from their first 12 inside-50s and had 12 from 20 at halftime and kept coming amid the controversy.

Dogs coach Luke Beveridge believed beating North in Round 20 last year after losing Jack Redpath, Mitch Wallis, Tom Liberatore and Jack Macrae fuelled his side’s run to glory.

This time it kept their head above water. Just.

SAM EDMUND’S BEST

Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Campbell, Macrae, Picken, Wallis, Hunter, Stringer

North Melbourne: Cunnington, Waite, Higgins, Brown