Western Bulldogs vow revenge after being humbled by GWS and left disappointed by Toby Greene’s tactics against Marcus Bontempelli
Stung by their heavy finals loss to GWS and furious about the tactics Toby Greene used against Marcus Bontempelli, Western Bulldogs have been left with a “bitter taste” as they vow revenge in 2020.
Bulldogs
Don't miss out on the headlines from Bulldogs. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Western Bulldogs players “wished they knew” that Greater Western Sydney antagonist Toby Greene targeted Marcus Bontempelli’s face during an ugly scuffle which typified this year’s heated elimination final.
Bontempelli was left with bruises around his right eye and the Bulldogs were privately fuming when Greene escaped with a $7500 fine at the tribunal after being charged with serious misconduct.
Stream over 50 sports Live & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
A host of baby Bulldogs including Patrick Lipinski and teenagers Rhylee West and Bailey Smith were in the vicinity when Greene grabbed at Bontempelli’s face and then pulled his hair while at the bottom of a pack.
There was almost no remonstrating from the Dogs on a day where the Giants bullied their way to a 58-point win.
“I had no idea that went on. I actually had no idea until I looked on Instagram after the game,” Will Hayes, 24, told the Sunday Herald Sun.
“I couldn’t even tell you when it happened to be honest – but I wish I’d known that it had happened, and I know a lot of the boys on the ground wish they knew it had gone on.
“We would’ve flown the flag for our great mate Bonti, or for anyone who wears the Bulldogs colours.”
The bitter relationship between the Dogs and Giants – who played that epic 2016 preliminary final – is the game’s most understated rivalry and Greene has been at the heart of multiple incidents.
Greene copped a two-match suspension for punching Caleb Daniel’s head in 2017 and then copped a fine for putting his boot in Luke Dahlhaus’s face while taking a mark in 2018.
“GWS to their credit came out and played some really strong, aggressive football (in the final) and that definitely left a bitter taste in a lot of our mouths,” Hayes said.
“We’re looking forward to the rematch when we get the opportunity but we haven’t lost that belief within our group.”
MORE AFL NEWS:
Richmond close to clean bill of health for start of pre-season in ominous sign for flag rivals
Will Hayes carving out a career with the Western Bulldogs, despite his horse racing roots
Champion Data’s top 30 prospects for the 2019 national draft
The Dogs travel to Canberra to meet the Giants on Friday night in Round 3 next season and then host this year’s Grand Finalist in Round 13 at Marvel Stadium.
Hayes played nine AFL games in his debut season and said the belief gained from the Dogs’ stunning charge to September boded well for 2020.
“I like to remember the two weeks before the final (when the Dogs beat GWS by 61 points in Round 22), because that was an absolute awesome game to be a part of,” Hayes said.
“The journey leading up to the finals and being part of the team coming out of the (mid-season) bye and seeing where we took ourselves from as a group was pretty special.”