AFL Round 10 Western Bulldogs v Essendon: Bailey Dale and the Dogs embarrass Bombers

Western Bulldogs defender Bailey Dale did whatever he liked against an embarrassing Essendon on Saturday night – and, in a 91-point demolition, he wasn’t the only one.

Dashing defender Bailey Dale led a stern Western Bulldogs statement over Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.

Dale collected a club-record 49 disposals as the Bulldogs announced themselves as a true premiership contender.

The severe case of leather poisoning surpasses the previous Bulldogs’ best of 47 from Ryan Griffin – also against Essendon – back in 2012.

There was no shortage of records for Luke Beveridge’s men, as they also registered their highest first-quarter score against the Bombers since 2006.

The Bulldogs balanced their fineness in the front half with fight in the back half – keeping the Bombers goalless until the 16-minute mark of the second term.

Midfielders Ed Richards, Matthew Kennedy and Tom Liberatore all dined out with a combined 92 disposals and four goals.

Rhylee West also matched his career-best night in front of goal with four majors.

The Bulldogs’ 91-point win over a team on equal points reaffirms their status among the contenders and enhances the enormity of the clash with Geelong on Thursday.

Bailey Dale had 49 disposals against the Bombers. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

OUCH, ARTY

It wasn’t a completely perfect night for Western Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs are likely to face the Cats without small forward Arty Jones after he was substituted out of the match with a hamstring injury.

Jones was applying forward pressure when he pulled up lame in the second term.

The Bulldogs immediately subbed Jones out and injected Lachie Bramble into the game.

Rhylee West celebrates one of his four goals. Picture: Michael Klein

Will Setterfield and the Bombers midfield were no match for Tom Liberatore and co. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

A MARVELLOUS RECORD

There’s no place like home.

Western Bulldogs is building a fortress in a shared backyard, winning its past nine matches at Marvel Stadium.

The Bulldogs, who have played at seven different venues this year, travel only twice and have a further nine matches scheduled under the roof in their run home.

RUCK CRAFT

Hit-outs to advantage can come in various forms.

Western Bulldog Tim English showed that in his side’s fierce first quarter, with a clever and perfectly executed tap to Tom Liberatore.

English launched for a mark and fell to the ground on the edge of the goal line.

English – on his knees and unable to get boot to ball – intelligently tapped it through his legs to a readily waiting Liberatore.

Liberatore gathered cleanly and kicked through the Bulldogs’ seventh first-quarter goal.

Some quick thinking from Tim English results in a goal for Tom Liberatore! 👀#AFLDogsDonspic.twitter.com/drvuLR9Slr

— AFL (@AFL) May 17, 2025

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO …

Western Bulldog Laitham Vandermeer pinched an early-goal with some of his finest work.

Vandermeer won a crucial one-on-one with Essendon defender Mason Redman and assisted Lachie McNeil in a first-quarter goal.

He was quickly awarded a free kick for an off-the-ball incident and ensured the Bulldogs a second goal in as many kicks.

The Marvel Stadium crowd awaited a replay and were shown a perfectly timed drop to the ground by Vandermeer after a return tap in the guts by Redman.

Vandermeer saw the funny side, caught giggling at the big screen as the ball was thrown up.

Buku Khamis takes to the skies. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

SCOREBOARD

WESTERN BULLDOGS 7.3 10.8 14.11 18.19 (127)

ESSENDON 0.3 1.3 2.5 4.4 5.6 (36)

GOALS

Bulldogs: West 4, Khamis 3, Bontempelli 2, Richards 2, Kennedy, McNeil, Vandermeer, Liberatore, Naughton, Davidson, Williams

Bombers: Wright, Duursma, Martin, Perkins, Durham

BEST

Bulldogs: Dale, Richards, Liberatore, Kennedy, Sanders

Bombers: Roberts, Redman, Martin

INJURIES

Bulldogs: A Jones (h’string)

Bombers: nil.

47, 266 at Marvel Stadium

TYLER LEWIS VOTES

3 Bailey Dale (WB)

2 Tom Liberatore (WB)

1 Ed Richards (WB)