Western Bulldogs topple Fremantle as Dockers go after Rory Lobb

A returning star was targeted heavily by his former teammates, but the brutal onslaught fell by the wayside as he got the last laugh.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 21: Alex Pearce of the Dockers and Rory Lobb of the Bulldogs wrestle before the first bounce during the round six AFL match between Fremantle Dockers and Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium, on April 21, 2023, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Fremantle went after former Docker Rory Lobb, but it was the Western Bulldogs forward who got the last laugh.

Before the first bounce of the game the Dockers made their intentions clear, Lobb was in for heavy attention all night long.

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As the barbs continued to fly he was throughout the night, it was elsewhere around the ground where the Bulldogs took advantage.

In what was a tight contest throughout the opening three quarters at Optus Stadium, the Dogs were too strong late as they pulled away to record a 49-point victory.

The Bulldogs were almost left to rue a dismal display in front of goal in the opening term as they squandered every opportunity that came there way.

After six straight behinds, skipper Marcus Bontempelli finally delivered as the Dogs held the lead at every change.

Bontempelli was his usual self on the night as he again proved why he’s one of the most damaging players in the game.

The skipper finished with 31 disposals, two goals, eight clearances, 10 tackles and a team-high 528 metres gained.

“He is the complete player. He has done everything tonight,” Matthew Lloyd said about him on 3AW.

Bontempelli gets UP!#ImLovinIt | #AFLFreoDogspic.twitter.com/ET0y43fjuo

— AFL (@AFL) April 21, 2023

But it was the attention shown to Lobb in his return to Optus Stadium that overshadowed proceedings on the night.

Every time the towering forward went near the ball he was showered with boos from the crowd and almost every Bulldogs forward 50 entry resulted in the Dockers going after him.

Unfortunately the brute onslaught against their former teammate continually played against the Dockers as every time they went after him it resulted in the Dogs capitalising on the mismatch in numbers.

“It’s all part of it, they probably got me with a couple of set shots there. I put a bit of pressure on myself, but it’s a great atmosphere down here,” Lobb said post-game.

Fremantle’s performance tonight reminds me of Damien Hardwick’s comment last week about pushing and shoving but also needing to be tough and pick up the ball. They did the first part well, not so much the latter. Rory Lobb got in their heads. #AFLFreoDogspic.twitter.com/t57KxTnzJB

— Andrew Wu (@wutube) April 21, 2023

The fourth quarter bleeding was brought to a slight halt for the Dockers when a fan decided to run out onto the ground.

Security got a hold of him with one guard delivering a tackle that would have seen him sent to the tribunal had it eventuated in game.

“Slight hold up here JB, some idiot has run onto the ground,” Brian Taylor said on Channel 7’s coverage.

Dangerous tackle. 3 weeks minimum. #intruder#aflfreodogs

— peter ryan (@petryan) April 21, 2023

The win leaves the Bulldogs at 3-3 on the season and still outside the top eight thanks to a lacklustre percentage.

Fremantle slump to 2-4 on the year with coach Justin Longmuir’s seat getting hotter and hotter as the season unfolds.

After a momentum building finish to end last season, the Dockers faithful will be growing restless after the signs to kick off 2023.

Things won’t get any easier over the next five rounds with games against four teams many pundits predict will be participating in September action.

They’ll take on the Brisbane Lions next week, before a slight reprieve against Hawthorn before they take on the Sydney Swans, Geelong Cats and Melbourne Demons in successive weeks.