Western Bulldogs defeat Collingwood 100-82

The Western Bulldogs have outlasted Collingwood at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.

The Western Bulldogs have closed the gap on the top eight after outlasting a decimated Collingwood outfit by 18 points at Marvel Stadium on Friday night in one of the most entertaining and spiteful games of the season.

The Magpies burst out of the blocks with four of the first five goals in an electric opening burst to lead by 22 points, but from that point, the Dogs absolutely dominated territory, registering with 63 of the last 95 inside 50s to overwhelm the Magpies.

The Bulldogs broke Collingwood’s resistance in the final term with five goals to nothing.

After weeks of bravely defying their massive injury list, the gallant Magpies finally succumbed this round, reaching a critical mass as their eight-match undefeated streak came to an end.

Marcus Bontempelli was immense. Picture: Getty Images

The Magpies headed into the game with a ravaged midfield, that was missing Scott Pendlebury (arm), Jordan De Goey (abdomen) and Tom Mitchell (foot), and a depleted forward line without Brody Mihocek (hamsrting), Jamie Elliott (vascular), Mason Cox (concussion/knee), Will Hoskin-Elliott (hamstring), Joe Richards (foot), Reef McInnes (concussion) and Dan McStay (knee).

But when you have a bloke by the name of Nick Daicos in the line-up, anything is possible and the superstar Magpie almost singlehandedly made up for all of those absentees by producing another masterclass in the middle of the ground to finish up with 32 disposals, two goals and personal bests in contested possessions (27) and clearances (16), including six centre clearances in the first term.

However, the task proved to be too much even for Daicos, and the Dogs had a pretty handy player on their side called Marcus Bontempelli who was stellar with a career-high 38 disposals, to go with 16 contested touches, 10 clearances, nine tackles and two goals, ensuring an epic individual head-to-head battle for the ages.

The Bulldogs had significant injuries of their own, and without Tom Liberatore (concussion), Aaron Naughton (knee), Cody Weightman (elbow), Ed Richards (concussion), Jason Johannisen (hamstring) and Bailey Smith (knee), they would be rapt with their ability to smash Collingwood in the clearances 54-38.

At the halfway mark of the year, the Dogs are just one games adrift of the top eight, having now won three of their last four matches.

BUSY WEEKEND FOR MRO

But the gritty win could come at a cost for the Bulldogs with emerging star Sam Darcy potentially headed for a holiday after cleaning up Collingwood’s Brayden Maynard with a late hit from behind in centre square in the first five minutes after the premiership star had taken a mark.

The incident sparked a huge melee, as a swarm of Magpies made a beeline for young Darcy, who was one of the Dogs’ best with seven marks (five contested) and three goals, including the sealer which was a magnificent snap from the boundary.

Darcy’s punishment could be diluted by the fact that Maynard passed a concussion test and played out the game.

Sam Darcy collides with Brayden Maynard. Picture: Getty Images

And Darcy isn’t the only Bulldog in hot water. Taylor Duryea will also have a case to answer after being reported for striking Daicos in the first quarter with a swinging backward elbow that connected with the latter’s face.

Collingwood star Josh Daicos might also draw the attention of the MRO for a tummy punch on Lachie McNeil in the third term which led to an off-the-ball free kick for the Bulldog.

Adding to the impressive nature of Dogs’ win was the fact that they lost James Harmes in the opening 15 minutes with a hamstring injury, and they had to play the second half a man down after Laitham Vandermeer also hurt his hamstring.

WASTEFUL PIES

The Magpies could’ve ended the contest before quarter-time when they had all the momentum, however they were let down badly by their goalkicking.

Lachie Schultz (two), Jack Crisp (two), Bobby Hill, Billy Frampton and Beau McCreery all missed gettable shots at goal to let the Dogs off the hook.

OH NO, NOBLE

Collingwood defender John Noble had a shocking first half that saw him commit four horrible turnovers, two of which led directly to Bulldogs goals.

Midway through the first term, his kick from deep in defence was smothered by Darcy, and the ball went straight to Jack Macrae who snapped truly from 30m out.

In the second term, Noble made life very difficult for Darcy Moore with a dicey kick on the Dogs’ 50m line.

Rather than hitting up his captain under minimal pressure, Noble forced Moore to lunge for a wormburner which the skipper dropped.

Rhylee West pounced and dished it off to Vandermeer who drew the Dogs level.

SCOREBOARD

COLLINGWOOD 5.7, 8.8, 12.9, 12.10 (82)

W.BULLDOGS 3.2, 8.5, 10.9, 15.10 (100)

RONNY LERNER’S BEST

Magpies: N.Daicos, J.Daicos, Crisp, Schultz, Cameron, Moore, McCreery.

Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Treloar, Dale, Darcy, English, Bramble, Sanders.

GOALS

Magpies: Schultz 3, J.Daicos 2, N.Daicos 2, Maynard, Crisp, Markov, Hill, Lipinski.

Bulldogs: Darcy 3, Macrae 2, Ugle-Hagan 2, Bontempelli 2, McNeil 2, Treloar, Vandermeer, Lobb, West.

INJURIES Magpies: Nil. Bulldogs: Harmes (hamstring), Vandermeer (hamstring).

REPORTS Taylor Duryea (Bulldogs) for striking Nick Daicos (Collingwood) in the first quarter.

UMPIRES Power, Hosking, Howorth, Findlay

43,298 at Marvel Stadium

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: RONNY LERNER’S VOTES

3 Marcus Bontempelli (WB)

2 Nick Daicos (COLL)

1 Adam Treloar (WB)