AFL Round 8 Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide: All the news and fallout as the Dogs make a statement in Ballarat

Port Adelaide’s bright start in Ballarat didn’t last long. The Bulldogs flicked a switch to proves they are the real deal – and raise even more questions about Ken Hinkley’s side.

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says the 90-point win against Port Adelaide was the best of the season after overcoming adversity early to charge past the Power at Mars Stadium

After a slow start in the middle, losing the first 10 clearances and being down at quarter time, the Bulldogs kicked 18 of the last 21 goals to record their biggest win of the year.

It moves the Bulldogs – for the time being – to fourth on the ladder with five wins and three losses after winning the past three games in a row.

“You have to say so (about the best win of year),” Beveridge said.

“We came here today with both teams in a similar situation, a little bit of momentum, a little bit of belief.

“To get back on top so emphatically (after the start) was quite important.

“From then on it was an even spread of contribution.”

Marcus Bontempelli celebrates a goal in the win over Port. Picture: Michael Klein

Port Adelaide started well, kicking two of the opening three goals and having the early play in the middle, as Willie Rioli kicked both of them.

But after quarter time, it was all the Bulldogs.

Taking advantage of a strong breeze, the Dogs kicked six goals to one in the second term with Aaron Naughton and Buku Khamis kicking two each as the midfield got on top and the forwards stretched the Power defence.

The Dogs then lifted another gear in the third term, with the Power unable to keep up despite having the breeze.

Led by Tim English – nine score involvements and two goals for the quarter – the Bulldogs kicked seven goals to two to break open the contest and lead by 58 points at the final break.

Tim English dominated in Ballarat. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

And Buku Khamis helped him out in the ruck. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Beveridge said a combination of keeping calm and locking down Port Adelaide star Zak Butters helped to arrest the tide early on.

Butters was Port’s best, finishing with 24 disposals, six clearances, and was the team’s third-best player in metres gained with 485m. Early on when Port was on top it was led by Butters in the midfield but without others helping him he couldn’t continue it as the Bulldogs took control of the contest.

Once the Bulldogs got on top, the goals and momentum flowed and they couldn’t be stopped.

“We did try something a little bit different,” Beveridge revealed.

“Zak Butters in the first quarter had six clearances and a fair bit of the footy so Tom (Liberatore) spent a bit of time on him as the game went on.

“We need to quell Zak’s influence... that made a significant difference.

“We then just shared the load.

“The centre bounce situation was really encouraging.”

At times, it was an onslaught with the Bulldogs doubling inside-50s for the quarter and Marcus Bontempelli kicking two goals with incredible skill against the wind.

The Bulldogs added more misery in the final term, keeping Port Adelaide goalless to record the second largest win against the Power in their history.

Port Adelaide is now 0-8 in final terms this season.

“It was really disappointing to lose as bad as we did after a reasonable start,” Power coach Hinkley said post-match.

It’s not a surprise the Bulldogs beat us, it’s a surprise to me we got beat so badly.”

“In isolation we were bad today but over the course of the season at 4-4 we have been reasonable.

“When it has gone against us it’s been hard to arrest the momentum.

“(For us) you stick to your task, stick to what you know and continue the parts that are challenging to you.”

“They went three gears above us and we weren’t able to catch up with them.”

The result could get worse for Port Adelaide with Rioli set to be looked at by the match review panel for an off the ball strike on Bulldogs defender Bailey Dale in the third term.

Dale was one of the best for the Bulldogs with 31 disposals, as Ed Richards also had a day out with 30 disposals and two goals.

The Bulldogs will now travel to Darwin to face the Gold Coast next week with Port Adelaide now needing to reflect and respond quickly ahead of Showdown 57 against Adelaide next week.

Zak Butters made a hot start, but faded with his team. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Sam Powell-Pepper can’t get away from Matthew Kennedy. Picture: Michael Klein

Kings of the West

It’s official, Ballarat is a fortress for the Western Bulldogs. The win over the Power was the eighth for the Bulldogs at Mars Stadium out of their past 10 at their home away from home. In the two losses, the Bulldogs lost by a combined margin of six points. They know how to play the venue and pounced on the opportunity on Saturday to exploit it against Port. The Dogs utilised the wind to perfection, using the kick and mark game to open up the contest in the second quarter, kicking six goals to one. Without the wind the Dogs set up well behind the ball to not allow the Power to attack and then go on the counter attack to score. Good luck to any side who ventures down to Ballarat to play them.

The Bulldogs welcomed back Adam Treloar in style. Picture: James Wiltshire/AFL Photos

Treloar is back – and the depth is strong

Importantly, Adam Treloar got through the game unscathed and played a full match, getting 27 disposals and kicking a goal in the final term.

Beveridge considered subbing him out of the game but revealed why he didn’t in the end.

“We came in wanting to make sure Adam played a certain amount of game time,” he said.

“Even though we had a decent margin (to sub him out) we gave up almost half a dozen goals at the end of last week’s game.

“We wanted to play a line, play to the last minute, not give them anything easy.

“He didn’t need any extra minutes on the bench... it’s a pretty handy return.

“To return in that manner and have the influence he did was important for us.”

The addition of Treloar and Bontempelli in recent weeks has Beveridge excited about the depth of the midfield.

The experienced players in Ed Richards, Treloar, Bontempelli and Liberatore have been joined by the rise of youngsters Joel Freijah and Riley Sanders.

Then there’s been the addition of Matt Kennedy and James Harmes from other clubs.

“It runs pretty deep now,” Beveridge agreed.

“We’ve got some options and we can share the load through there.

“We just need to continue to play to our strengths.

“The opposition will do its homework on us.”

Bulldogs’ Jamarra hope, Ballarat plans revealed

– Josh Barnes

The Western Bulldogs expect to carry on playing in Ballarat next year despite the capacity at the ground being halved, as Dogs president Kylie Watson-Wheeler says she hopes Jamarra Ugle-Hagan stays at the club.

A well-anticipated clash between the Dogs and Port Adelaide at Mars Stadium on Saturday afternoon sold out, with around 5000 fans let in.

Works at the ground limited standing room spots, dragging the crowd down from the 10,224 that watched the last AFL match at the ground, in round 24 last year.

Works are due to carry on until the end of the 2026 season, so capacity would again be limited next year.

The Bulldogs and Power clash at Mars Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

One completed, seating at the ground will be doubled to about 10,000, and standing room reopened.

In December, the Bulldogs agreed with the City of Ballarat to extend its contract with the ground to the end of 2027, in which two AFL and one AFLW game would be played at Mars Stadium every year.

The Bulldogs host Adelaide in Ballarat in round 18.

Watson-Wheeler said the Bulldogs would “monitor” games at the ground but she expected to be back next year.

“Ballarat is a really important part of our club and this is our second home in Victoria,” she said.

“Certainly for us it would be a big decision not to play here, particularly because of our connection to the community, so the plan is to continue but obviously we will monitor that and see what happens as it progresses.”

Forward Ugle-Hagan was officially put on a leave of absence this week as he manages difficult personal issues, having been away from the club for much of this season.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. Picture: Getty Images

Talk has turned to expectations the Dogs would look to trade Ugle-Hagan in the off-season, but the club president said she hoped the former No.1 pick stayed at the Kennel.

“It is really important that we as a club show support for him and that we really help him get on track to be in a space where he feels good and comfortable and happy and ultimately can have the football career he deserves,” she told SEN.

“I would like to think that if he is playing football, if he does have a future football career, that it is at the Dogs.”

Watson-Wheeler also said she “wouldn’t want to lose” CEO Ameet Bains amid speculation the AFL is hoping to poach him for a second-in-command role under Andrew Dillon at league HQ.

Originally published as AFL Round 8 Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide: All the news and fallout as the Dogs make a statement in Ballarat